Hearts in the Community

Hearts in the Community Hearts in the Community

Proud Supporters

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Fisher House supporters found amazing ways to raise money to keep military and veteran families together during a medical crisis. We are so grateful for these innovative, proud supporters.

Air Force Capt. Corey Godwin came up with his own challenge for Fisher House — the Flat Top February Fisher House Challenge. Every year in February, he challenges friends to get a flat top haircut. If his friends get the haircut, they donate $15. And if they don’t get a flat top, they donate $30. This year, Air Force Capt. Dakota Risner kept the challenge going while Corey was deployed to Afghanistan. The challenge has raised more than $500. In March, Tammy Freye, auxiliary president for the Bemidji Eagles Aerie #351, raised more than $6,000 by holding a wine tasting at the Bemidji Eagles Club in Minnesota. Members of the club and their guests had a wonderful time for a great cause before safety precautions put in place for COVID-19 went into effect. The Navy Youth Hockey Association held a virtual Hockey for Heroes event in Annapolis, Maryland raising $5,000 for Fisher House. Because of COVID-19, the scheduled hockey games were cancelled, but thanks to the continued support of the sponsors, players, families, and the local hockey community, the event was a success.

Brandon Gravino from Virginia livestreamed himself doing four pushups per dollar donated. His show of physical strength

raised $600!

For the second time, Army veteran David Uhl planned to participate in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in August, where his goal was to raise $5,000 for Fisher House Foundation and $2,000 for the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Fisher House. The challenge for him and one hundred other bikers was to ride a motorcycle without a GPS for 10,000 miles. David felt that the experience was a great way to raise awareness for Fisher House. David’s son served in the Army and his daughter continues to serve which inspired him to get involved.

“These experiences made me very aware of the sacrifices that our military and their families endure for our country,” said David.

Corporate and Foundation GivingCorporate and Foundation Giving Fisher House Foundation is the beneficiary of many generous gifts. Here, we highlight Fisher House Foundation is the beneficiary of many generous gifts. Here, we highlight companies that continue to support the Fisher House program.companies that continue to support the Fisher House program.

USAA and The USAA Foundation, Inc. have been longtime supporters of Fisher House Foundation, with life-time support in the amount of more than $5.7 million.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, The USAA Foundation, Inc. assisted military families with the purchase of gift cards to provide safe, catered meals and groceries for families staying at Fisher Houses at military hospitals, items that were often provided by volunteers. With volunteer programs halted to help prevent coronavirus spread, The USAA Foundation, Inc.’s support helped families enjoy nutritious meals as they were busy tending to their loved one's medical needs. The USAA Foundation, Inc. is the lead supporter for Fisher House Foundation’s COVID-19 efforts.

“The USAA Foundation Inc.’s generous donation came at a crucial time for military and veteran families helping loved ones through medical crises,” Fisher House Foundation chairman and CEO Kenneth Fisher said. “As COVID-19 limited meal deliveries from our great volunteers and forced house managers to quickly change how they support their guests, the flexibility afforded by these gift cards ensured that family members could keep their focus exactly where it is needed: on their loved ones in hospitals across the country. We want to thank The USAA Foundation, Inc. for its ongoing support, both during this crisis and in more normal times.” “USAA is thankful that we are able to offer continued support to the Fisher House Foundation, especially during this unprecedented time,” said Harriet Dominique, senior vice president of Corporate Responsibility at USAA. “The Fisher House Foundation is helping to fill a gap that has opened as a result of the pandemic and the families will be forever grateful.”

Committed to wounded, ill, and injured service members, USAA and The USAA Foundation, Inc. have been major supporters of the construction of Fisher Houses and helped fund homes in Tampa, Florida; Dover Air Force Base, Delaware; and in San Antonio, Texas at Brooke Army Medical Center and the South Texas VA. In addition, they have supported the Hero Miles program that provides round-trip airline tickets to service members and their families who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center.

USAA recently committed funds for the purchase of video teleconferencing equipment to help veterans staying in hospitals connect with loved ones, while remaining physically distanced. This program, known as A Family’s Love, relies on Facebook Portals, bundled with smart TVs, sent to VA hospitals that had to limit visitors because of the risk of COVID-19. The equipment allows patients to spend time with family and friends virtually so that they stay connected while receiving hospital care.