Fisher House Volunteer of the Year

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 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.

2021 FISHER HOUSE VOLUNTEER

OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

These other volunteers were selected by their respective branches as their top volunteer of the year for 2021! Each of these volunteers is a stellar example of service and a huge help to their Fisher House.

AMY CRAVEN TIEDEMANN

PORTSMOUTH FISHER HOUSE — NAVY NOMINEE

Amy Craven Tiedemann was selected by the Navy as its Fisher House Volunteer of the Year. She donates hundreds of hours to the Fisher House Portsmouth, including an estimated 500 hours per year to set up an annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament fundraiser, including a mini family tournament during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo: Amy is wearing the gray fleece in the first row on the right.

CAROL MCCLURE

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — AIR FORCE NOMINEE

Carol McClure was nominated by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Fisher House and selected by the Air Force as their Fisher House Volunteer of the Year. Carol is known for cooking muffins every week for Tuesday deliveries, maintaining the home away from home feel.

STAFF SGT. NICHOLAS WEYER

LANDSTUHL FISHER HOUSE — ARMY NOMINEE

The Army selected a volunteer nominated by the Landstuhl Army Fisher House in Germany. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Weyer serves in the house twice per week, organizing and cleaning. After COVID-19 hit, he schooled himself on sanitation and has spent much of his time ensuring the cleanliness of family and child sitting rooms.