2021
FISHER HOUSE
VOLUNTEER
OF THE YEAR
SALT LAKE CITY ROCKS THIRD VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Story by Utah Fisher House
To the north of Salt Lake City, sweeping snow-capped mountains create breathtaking views for people who visit the Fisher House at the Veterans Affairs Health Care System campus there. Fisher House Manager Quinn Kiger-Good says she's fortunate to live in a philanthropic city encouraged by people who show dedication. In particular, the SLC Fisher House has a track record for attracting extraordinary volunteers. Since its inception, SLC Fisher House has had three volunteers that have been awarded Fisher House Volunteer of the Year, including in 2021. Quinn says she tries to submit a story about her volunteers each year hoping they are recognized for their commitment. This year, she nominated Air Force Master Sgt. Trevor Christie for Fisher House 2021 Volunteer of the Year after an event that will forever impact both. Since August 2016, Trevor has visited every Friday to assist VA Campus guests. On top of his full-time career in the military, he spends his free time at the Salt Lake City Fisher House. He likes his role as golf cart driver, because he enjoys taking guests around the VA campus, but that is not his only duty. Quinn says he is a valuable team member. "You know that person that just always shows up?" Quinn says of Trevor. She says her favorite thing about Trevor is that no job is beneath him. He takes suitcases to rooms and assists housekeeping in cleaning up big messes. However, the nomination came after a day they both heard a guest screaming for help. The house manager says when they heard the man, Trevor bolted out of the office toward the sound. When he reflects on the event, Trevor sits quietly processing the moments he tried to save a fellow veteran. He says when he entered the room, he found
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THE PATRIOT • VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 2 • 2021
a veteran lying face down on the floor and his wife sitting on the bed screaming and crying. The veteran was gurgling while gasping for air when Trevor turned the man over and began to monitor his breathing. Trevor started CPR while the house manager called for emergency support. Trevor continued to give the unresponsive man support until paramedics arrived at the house. Despite the lack of response, Quinn says Trevor never gave up trying to revive him. He helped console the veteran's wife as the paramedics also worked on him but they were unable to save him. Quinn was concerned this traumatic event would have deterred Trevor from continuing his volunteer work, but he still supports Fisher House every Friday as he's done for nearly five years. Trevor received the I-CARE award from the local VA leadership for his effort to save his fellow veteran. Fisher House Foundation selects award winners from the stories Fisher House managers submit on their behalf. Read about other winners on the next page.
