House Roundup

The Patriot always loves to check in and see what our Fisher Houses have been up to. Here, we outline a few highlights from houses around the world, submitted by our managers.

ALASKA

JBER HOSPITAL, Elmendorf AFB

From a life being in the balance to a remarkable and miraculous recovery, the benefits of the FH came full circle for Cody, a member of the Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club in Anchorage. The Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club, a rider mentorship club, is a faithful supporter of the mission of the Alaska Fisher House. They annually host a Chili Burn and Fundraiser and throughout the year consistently answer the call to support the Alaska Fisher House through in-kind donations. This year’s Chili Burn event looked a little different, as it was also in honor of Cody. There was a special presentation of a ‘Hands of Love’ Rocking Horse from Heroes Rock along with an appearance from Senator Lisa Murkowski. Cody, experienced a life-altering motorcycle accident while returning to work, and the Fisher House was able to come alongside his family. Not only in Alaska but the local Fisher House near Cody’s hometown supported him and his family when he was transferred closer to his family’s home. He and his family continually praise the resources provided by the Fisher House, as they would not have been able to be bedside during his recovery to provide ‘Hands of Love’ every step of the way.

CALIFORNIA

CAMP PENDLETON

Over the years, Beazer Homes has provided support to the Fisher House Program. Volunteers from Beazer Homes — Southern California, spent a rainy winter morning providing the Fisher House Camp Pendleton with some “TLC”. The volunteers spruced up the interior of the house by cleaning baseboards, dusting cabinets and crown molding, providing touch up paint in the guest rooms and re-caulking showers. We appreciate the Beazer Team taking time out of their busy schedule to support the Fisher House Camp Pendleton.

DAVID GRANT USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB

Comfort and Joy Ministry donates these beautifully hand made Veteran pillows to bring joy and comfort to our families.

They have donated hundreds of pillows and continue to be one of our main supporters. We always look forward to seeing their warm, heart-filled smiles along with what designs they have created next!

FLORIDA

MALCOM RANDALL VA MEDICAL CENTER, Gainesville

For years the Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild, Patriotic Bee, Gainesville, Florida has provided quilts for our guests. We have given them to our families at Christmas, Veterans Day, or other special holidays or events. The quilts are so special and specifically crafted to share their appreciation for the veteran and the secret sacrifice of the family members who support them.

Recently, we decided to provide them to our families who lose their veteran while they are staying with us. It is such an act of love from the quilters and a reminder that the veteran is not forgotten.

When our Fisher House received our patriotic pony, we were fortunate to have the Gold Star mother join us. We provided a quilt to her and when we were talking about her son, she mentioned that she worried he would be forgotten. He was a very young man and didn’t have a family of his own yet and she felt that she would be the only one to carry on his story. We hoped that this small token would reassure her that he would not be forgotten.

A recent donation was a “Morse Code” quilt. It was such a unique gift and the quilter included a cheat sheet so we would know the codes for each letter. We will find the right home for this one and all the quilts donated to our families.

MIAMI VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, Miami

The Miami Fisher House was very fortunate to have had Ken and Tammy Fisher visit the house on December 19, 2019, for an evening of volunteering and service. The Fishers, along with additional family members, provided a catered meal and home cooked dishes. They visited the house for well over two hours and personally catered to our house guests by serving them meals and refreshments. The Fisher family was very hospitable and made it a point to speak with each guest and truly interact with them on a personal level. Guests commented on “how amazed they were that the Fishers shared similar life experiences as them” and how “downto-earth” the Fisher Family is. They were truly amazed that the Fishers took time out of their holiday schedule to spend time with them. Guests shared their sincere gratitude with the Fishers for having a “home away from home” during their loved one’s hospitalization.

The Fishers were greeted by the Miami VA Executive Leadership team, who also took time to join the Fishers in meeting and greeting each guest.

Ms. Kalautie JangDhari, Director, Miami VA Healthcare System, also presented Ken and Tammy Fisher with a Certificate of Appreciation recognizing them as national leaders in supporting veteran’s and their families in times of need and their hard work; ensuring that these families have a safe, comfortable place to rest while supporting their hospitalized veteran.

The Miami Fisher House is truly appreciative of the act of kindness, caring, and serving the Fisher family extended to our guests and staff during their visit.

GEORGIA

CHARLIE NORWOOD VA MEDICAL CENTER, Augusta

Ms. Nicole Clapp, National President of American Legion Auxiliary visited and toured the Augusta Fisher House on December 11, 2019. She was accompanied by local and state American Legion Auxiliary members, American Legion members, and American Legion Riders.

ILLINOIS

EDWARD HINES VA MEDICAL CENTER, Hines

Hines Fisher House celebrated 10 years on March 1, 2020. The house has provided accommodations to over 10,000 veteran families since opening our doors. Although most of our families come from the Midwest, we have had people from destinations as far as Hawaii, Alaska, and the Philippines. The house has been undergoing renovations and recently replaced all the carpet in the bedrooms, replaced bedroom furniture, and upgraded the HVAC system. There will be more updates throughout the year to make sure Hines Fisher House remains a beautiful, safe home for our veterans and their families. Hines Fisher House is grateful to have the support of Friends of Fisher House — Illinois and the State of Illinois American Legion Auxiliary who funded many of these projects. Looking forward to another great year!

KENTUCKY

BLANCHFIELD ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, Fort Campbell

Hails & Farewells are part of the military life as families rotate through. Because of this, we have been blessed to have many wonderful volunteers on our team over the years. However, we have also been blessed with a few steadfast volunteers. These ladies have been part of our angel team for about a decade and we are so very fortunate they have chosen to stick with us all these years. Mrs. Rebecca Ponder has been one of our amazing bakers since 2009 and was selected as our 2019 Volunteer of the Year. Army Maj. (Ret.) Armi Rhodes has been part of our lunch crew since 2011. Mrs. Lisa Gray has also been part of our lunch crew since 2010, and it is with great pride that we announce she has been selected as our 2020 Volunteer of the Year! Of course, we believe all of our volunteers are the best, but we wanted to give a special shout out to these wonderful ladies and thank them for being a steadfast part of our family.

MARYLAND

WALTER REED NATIONAL MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER, Bethesda

A big thank you to the great people at America's VetDogs for bringing their ambassador, Cleo, for a meet & greet with families!

MINNESOTA

MINNEAPOLIS VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, Minneapolis

In August 2019, Daniel R. Olsen American Legion Post 594 (Eagan, MN) began providing the monthly breakfast meal at Fisher House. Post members Dan & Cheryl Seanoa, Tom Mullon, and Wayne Olsen came forward to ask for this support at the July 2019 post meeting. They are the true heroes, as they’ve been providing a monthly breakfast for the better part of four years, often at their own expense. Their request passed unanimously. The leadership team at Hy-Vee Eagan, a local supermarket, agreed to provide ongoing financial support to the post for the purchase of food for this endeavor. Cheryl, Dan, Tom, and Wayne continue as our core team. Additional post members, including Post Commander John Flynn and Unit Auxiliary President Susan Flynn, have participated.

MISSOURI

VA ST. LOUIS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, St. Louis

We used to dance every weekend after we met in 1987. Over the years we continued to do this whenever a band played. As David's lung disease increased and limited his ability to dance, we stopped going.

David has been on oxygen for 17 years. His condition began to decline in the last few years, but it did not stop him from doing most of the things he loved. He played golf through all of this, but about five years ago he had stopped riding his Harley. This was something we both enjoyed.

You see, David recently had a double lung transplant in September 2019. We both were concerned about his surgery and this was made worse by the unknown results of surgery. Fortunately, we were referred to the Fisher House at Jefferson Barracks. This I like to think of as a "Happy Accident."

Fisher House welcomed us both with open arms. The staff has been outstanding in every way. Always ready to help and give us information. Guests at the Fisher House are just as welcoming as the staff. We have made friends here that will always be part of our lives. We try every day to pass that on to the new arrivals. They may very well be in the same state of mind we were upon arrival.

David was my main caregiver during my heart transplant in 2017. While my recovery was shorter in terms of hospital stay, he was there every day with his oxygen in hand, giving me instructions. We now have changed places. I get to tell him what is good for him. Humor has gotten us through a lot of trying times.

I am constantly reminded and very humbled by the kindness of strangers, the donors, and their families who are so generous in such a difficult time for them. The staff here at the Fisher House and the volunteers who bring in meals always have a smile. The strangers on the street also smile and say hello.

We are excited about our future. Every day is a gift to be savored, enjoyed and most of all shared.

The last thing I have learned from all of this is simple. We can dance.

NEW MEXICO

RAYMOND J. MURPHY VA MEDICAL CENTER, Albuquerque

After several years of anticipation, a year of construction, and countless hours of preparation, the Fisher House at the New Mexico VA Health Care System officially welcomed its first guests on December 3, 2019.

Paula Parker and Linda Eastman from Carlsbad, New Mexico made the five-hour drive to be close to Paula’s husband, “Cowboy.” With a safe, comfortable place to stay at no cost and within walking distance, the two can focus on caring for their veteran while he recovers at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center.

“The Fisher House really is a home away from home. There is a family atmosphere here that makes it so special,” said Eastman, Cowboy’s sister. “I have also enjoyed making new friends with the other guests who share the house.”

When Parker learned last month that her husband was going to be admitted to the New Mexico VA for an extended amount of time, she was hesitant on whether she could accompany him.

“It’s such a benefit to be so close to my husband,” said Parker. “There’s a lot of stress when you have family in the hospital. At least here we can unwind a little from that. It also saves the expense of lodging and gives us a sense of security knowing we are in a safe place.”

NEW YORK

ALBANY STRATTON VA MEDICAL CENTER, Albany

Each year, the Albany Fisher House hosts Cancer Survivor Day. This celebration of life provides opportunities to reunite past guests with each other and their health care providers. At this year’s event, Walmart provided a barbecue, as well as other food and beverages; Deloitte was there cleaning the gardens and planting new flowers; and employees from PiSA BioPharm assisted in many areas, along with local Boy Scouts and musicians.

NORTH CAROLINA

NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER CAMP LEJEUNE, Camp Lejeune

The Eastern Carolina University Dental School Class of 2022 hosted a supply drive and inaugural Veteran's Day 5k raising $2000 for our Fisher House and providing $732.36 in food, toiletries, paper products and cleaning supplies. The 5k had over 83 runners and is expected to be even bigger next year! Additionally, as a result of the awareness brought by the event, an ECU staff member purchased a brand-new laptop computer for our business center. The fun, excitement and, most importantly, awareness raised by the event was appreciated by all!

VIRGINIA

NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER PORTSMOUTH, Portsmouth

The Fisher House Portsmouth would like to thank the Salty Dawg's for their ever-beating heart for the Fisher House Portsmouth. They simply never stop spreading and sharing information about the program. As a result of them doing so with the Grand Design RV Team, a Rally and Poker Run was held in Millsboro, Delaware in support of the Fisher House Portsmouth. Representatives from the Salty Dawgs went to the event and supported four fundraising activities; a 50/50 raffle, a poker run, a funnel cake sale, and collection of a percentage of rally registrations. This resulted in a $20-thousand donation which was presented in December 2019 to the Fisher House Portsmouth. There aren't enough words to thank the Salty Dawgs and the amazing Grand Design Team for their graciousness. We are forever grateful for the kindness displayed and the new relationship formed as a result of the Salty Dawgs.