LITTLE ROCK, AR, (November 15, 2016) – After years of hard work, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (RMHCA) is celebrating the grand opening of the new Ronald McDonald House facility at the corner of 10th and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Little Rock.

The celebration of the new House begins at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 15 with a VIP Donor Preview Party and the inaugural lighting of the Beacon of Hope and culminates with a public ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16.
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“Our current facility has served us well by allowing us to provide a ‘home away from home’ for 30,000 families over the past 36 years, but it has always had limitations on providing all the comforts of home,” says Janell Mason, RMHCA Executive Director. “Our new facility was designed specifically with families in mind, so the House will have everything families need to feel at home while remaining close to their child in the hospital. It’s three times larger, much brighter and more interactive than our old facility, so children and adults can get a respite from the daily stressors they are facing.”

Project Highlights:
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• 1 year + 15 days construction time
• 398 donors raised $9,004,291
• 32,000 square foot facility
• 32 family suites with restrooms
• 80 person dining room
• Large kitchen and pantry
• Well-being salon with volunteer stylists
• Toy closet
• Basketball half- court
• Treehouse with slide
• Outdoor playground
• Indoor playroom
• Library and Media room
• Wellness Garden and Courtyard
• MACtivity Room for Families
• Capitol View Meeting Room

The new Ronald McDonald House is now a reality thanks to the dream and hard work of the RMHCA Board, Capital Campaign Committee, and Design and Construction Committee. Nearly 400 donors contributed a total of $9,004,291 specifically to it’s construction. The facility was built with the highest quality by Nabholz Construction and was designed by the team at WDD Architects.

The schedule of events for both the VIP Preview Party and the Grand Opening Celebration are as follows:          

VIP Donor Preview Party - Tuesday, November 15 at 5:30 p.m.

• 5:30 p.m. – 1st floor open for donors
• 6:00 p.m. – Gather in front of new House for short ceremony
• 6:15 p.m. – Welcome by Rodney Showmar, RMHCA Board President
• 6:18 p.m. – David Stokes, President of the Central AR McDonald’s Co-op, sponsors of Beacon of Hope
• 6:22 p.m. – Inaugural Lighting of the Beacon of Hope
• 6:30 p.m. – Entire House open for browsing

Grand Opening Celebration - Wednesday, November 16 at 10:00 a.m.

• 10:00 a.m. – Arkansas Baptist College Choir
• 10:10 a.m. – Welcome by Rodney Showmar, RMHCA Board President
• 10:13 a.m. – Mrs. Ginger Beebe addresses attendees
• 10:18 a.m. – David Stokes, President of the Central AR McDonald’s Co-op
• 10:21 a.m. – Rodney Showmar, RMHCA Board President
• 10:22 a.m. – Janell Mason, RMHCA Executive Director Tammie Del Donno, Chair of the Design and Construction Committee
• 10:27 a.m. – Ribbon cutting with dignitaries and Ronald McDonald
• 10:29 a.m. – Balloon release / performance by Arkansas Baptist College Choir
• 10:30 a.m. – New House open for tours
• 10:30 a.m. – Refreshments in Dining Room / Delta Dental Photo Booth