SYRACUSE -- A charity breakfast was held at the Crowne Plaza in Syracuse Tuesday morning to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.
The keynote speaker was Syracuse University head football coach Doug Marrone.
Dozens of local leaders were also in attendance including president and CEO of Barrington Broadcasting Syracuse, Chris Geiger.
Last week, we took an exclusive behind the scenes look at construction for the new house. The new home will give sick children and their families more room, and help patients fight off deadly diseases. Right now, the final push is on to complete the home.
People who needed the home, in their most desperate time, spoke about how the Ronald McDonald House, right here in Syracuse, helped them.
"It was a home for me, when I was away from home. I can't tell you how that feels as a mother with a sick child. Words don't even some it up really, but if you had a sick child you could understand where I’m coming from," said Jodi Larkin.
Marrone says giving back to the community was a value instilled in him as a player, under legendary coach Dick Macpherson. He says he can't think of a better cause.
"What a great opportunity now, with the new house opening, and to get people behind it with a better sense of awareness of how it affects the families and the children, and how it can help people recover. And, I don't think people truly do understand how tough of a situation it is until you go through it yourself," says Marrone.
The new Ronald McDonald House will have 39 guest rooms and private bathrooms, which is more than double the space in the current home.
The $6 million house still needs $500,000 in donations. For more information on donations click here. The house is expected to open later this summer.
