Francis House Announces Leadership for the 2024 There’s No Place Like Home Event

Francis House will host its annual fundraising event There’s No Place Like Home on Wednesday, October 16, and leading the planning committee in 2024 are Event Chairs Mark and Sandy Baker of Baldwinsville, NY, and Vice Chairs Brian Macrae and Jane Amico-Macrae of Fayetteville, NY. There’s No Place Like Home 2023 was recently awarded the Outstanding Fundraising Event Nonprofit Award by the CNY Business Journal and BizEventz.

“This is truly a special event for the Central New York community, and we are honored to be a part of it,” said Mark Baker. “There’s No Place Like Home has special meaning to thousands of families whose lives have been touched by Francis House,” Baker said.

Added Sandy Baker, “The work that Francis House does is a gift to our community. The end-of-life journey should be spent in peace and dignity, surrounded by love and compassion. That’s exactly what Francis House offers. The community’s support ensures that their mission continues.”

“We look forward to working with the 2024 planning committee and Event Chairs Mark and Sandy Baker, to bring another outstanding There’s No Place Like Home experience to the community this fall,” said Brian Macrae.

Francis House does not receive federal, state, or local funding or insurance reimbursement, relying solely instead on the community’s generosity to operate. A significant source of funds for its operations comes from There’s No Place Like Home. Francis House residents are those in the community who have received a terminal diagnosis. Francis House welcomes every resident regardless of age, faith, ethnicity, or ability to pay.

The Bakers and Macraes will lead an event planning committee of 33 dedicated volunteers to secure event sponsorships, solicit local businesses for auction items, and sell advertisements for the event’s magazine.

There’s No Place Like Home will take place at the New York State Fair Exposition Center. Attended by more than 1,500 people annually, the popular community event is a crowd-pleaser thanks to its unique attendee experience. Guests visit ten prize houses and purchase keys to try their luck at opening the doors of the houses. The cornerstone of the event is its large auction featuring hundreds of items, trips, and experiences. Guests can bid both online (remotely) and in person. Our main raffle offers the opportunity for participants to win three highly anticipated prizes, and our diamond raffle gives guests the potential to sparkle.

Admission to the event remains at $50 per person, and includes an open bar of beer and wine, and delectable gourmet offerings from six food stations. 

The event is ticketless. To register, visit TNPLH2024.givesmart.com or text TNPLH2024 to 76278 to register via a smartphone. To review sponsorship information, donate an item for the auction, or to inquire about advertising in the event magazine, contact Francis House Event Manager Laura Grasselli at lgrasselli@francishouseny.org or 315-475-5422 ext. 322.