New Ronald McDonald House unveiled Thursday

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia unveils the Capital City’s new Ronald McDonald House at a ribbon cutting ceremony today.

A Ronald McDonald House is a "home-away-from-home" for families so they can stay close to their hospitalized child at little or no cost. Columbia's new house, located directly next to the old house on 2800 Colonial Drive, features 16 rooms and will be able to serve twice as many families as the previous house.

At today's ceremony, Ronald McDonald House executive director Karen Marinelli plans to thank local owner/operators of the Columbia and Florence area McDonald's locations who helped to raise over $570,000 toward the building of the new house since a capital campaign for its construction began in 2013. McDonald’s of Columbia is also expected to present an additional check for $20,000 at the event.

University of South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner and Mayor Steve Benjamin are also scheduled to attend the event which will begin at 11 a.m.