By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
Ben Roethlisberger sported a hard hat and a smile as he led a tour of the construction site for the new Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh, a home that provides low or no-cost housing for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Roethlisberger is the honorary Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) chairperson and has been involved with the home over the last few years, continuing the commitment the Steelers organization has had with the home since it was founded.
He has provided grants for the home through his foundation and donations from sale of his BBQ sauce (check out a review of his BBQ sauce from Sauce Authority). He also has visited the house and provides catered holiday meals.
"You kind of have to close your eyes and get a vision of what it is, but it's a great vision," said Roethlisberger while giving the tour. "It's a great facility. It's going to be awesome."
Roethlisberger had a special guest he was giving the tour to, 11-year old Hailey Burkett and her parents. Burkett has been a patient at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the RMHC will be a home away from home for her family.
The new RMHC will open in August and will be close to the new Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh location in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh.
"I'm touched by the wonderful work the Ronald McDonald House does to support and care for the children and their families' at the most scary and stressful times in their lives," said Roethlisberger. "I am proud to support the Ronald McDonald House as they move to their new, larger facility and help even more children and their families."
