10 minute read
House Round Up
HOUSE ROUNDUP
We always love to check in and see what Fisher Houses have been up to. Here, we outline a few highlights from houses around the world, submitted by the Fisher House managers.
ALASKA
JBER HOSPITAL Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Two team members from the Alaska Fisher House both delivered baby boys this spring. Ana Espinosa was blessed with what she describes as her angel, Gabriel Alexander. Gabriel, a calm and smiley baby, was born on Easter, April 4, weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 21.25 inches. Kristyn Moret was blessed with her baby, Carson Alexander, on April 26, weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 21 inches. Both babies are doing well and looking sharp in their Fisher House onesies.
CALIFORNIA
DAVID GRANT USAF MEDICAL CENTER Travis Air Force Base
Phillip Hunter has been an active volunteer and advocate for the Fisher House for well over five years. Prior to COVID-19, Phil would go out every week without fail to collect doughnuts, bagels, and gift cards that are donated from our local establishments. Our long-term guests would always refer to him as the “bagel guy.” During COVID-19, Phil’s devotion did not stop, and he continually checked in to see when he would be able to start back again. We are so happy to be able to have him back.
NAVAL HOSPITAL CAMP PENDLETON Camp Pendleton
In honor of Memorial Day, Mrs. Yanaura talked about the different branches of the military to her fourth-grade class at John Malcolm Elementary. She explained how the Fisher House program operates and the impact it has on our military families. The students also learned about the importance of honoring our fallen heroes by supporting and appreciating active-duty service members. As a class, they collected travel size toothpaste and shaving cream to donate to the Fisher House Camp Pendleton. The students also signed patriotic cards to distribute to our families upon their arrival.
NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER SAN DIEGO San Diego
The Chief’s Mess takes deep pride in developing and trainings today's sailors to become tomorrow's leaders. The Navy Medicine Readiness & Training Command (NMRTC) CPO Mess conducted a volunteer day to clean up outdoor areas of Fisher House I (Bldg. 46) and II (Bldg. 47) for the 2021 Chief's Call to Indoctrination. This day of service was Fisher House San Diego’s first volunteer event since the onset of the pandemic. Sixteen service members volunteered two hours in January for a total of 32 volunteer hours. Members dusted cobwebs, washed windows, raked leaves, sanitized furniture, and pulled weeds, just to name a few of their outdoor
cleaning efforts to maintain Fisher House San Diego’s curb appeal. In a year of uncertainty, the NMRTC CPO Mess was certain that giving back to military personnel and their families was at the top of its to-do list in 2021.
GEORGIA
EISENHOWER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER Fort Gordon
Ms. Lisa McCollum, host of “Thrive Everyday” with the local CBS/NBC affiliate, visited the Fort Gordon Army Fisher House, a beacon of southern hospitality and a place for comfort for the friends and families of military and retiree patients at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
Ms. McCollum had the pleasure to meet with and talk to a patient, Army Spc. Oshoba Dominic from Fort Jackson, and a caregiver, Spc. Talisa Robinson from Fort Hood, to hear about their stories and experiences while staying at the Fisher House. Ms. McCollum also talked to Fisher House Manager Mr. Francisco Cruz, Jr. about everything the facility has to offer. To learn more about Thrive Everyday, visit their Facebook Page at: https:// www.facebook.com/ThriveEveryday26/ videos/282850126846334
KENTUCKY
BLANCHFIELD ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Fort Campbell
We received this special hand-made gift recently. One of our families presented us with this sign prior to checking out after a month-long stay. On the back, we found the following message. “Thank you for welcoming us during our greatest time of need. We are forever grateful.” We absolutely love it and have hung it proudly to welcome other families.
MAINE
VA MAINE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Augusta
Rex Daugherty, Jr. is a Vietnam veteran who served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. In mid-December 2020, Rex was admitted to the VA Maine Medical Center at the Togus campus in Augusta, Maine, but his beloved wife, Susie, was not allowed visitation due to COVID-19 restrictions. On April 17, 2021 the long four-month wait came to a joyous end when Susie was finally granted permission to visit Rex at his bedside.
“The opportunity for me to stay at Fisher House and spend so much time each day with Rex has made such a difference for both of us. In the midst of the most frightening and depressing chapter of our 40-year marriage, we have received this amazing, spirit-lifting gift of time together, and for me to be able to return each night from the hospital to this perfectly beautiful home away from home is so comforting.”
MARYLAND
MALCOLM GROW CLINICS & SURGERY CENTER Andrews Air Force Base
New! New! New! There have been a lot of exciting updates at the Andrews Fisher House in the last six months. We have a new manager, new sign, new sidewalk to the medical facility, new Amazon wish list, and a new Facebook page. Stop by to say hello and ask us about more exciting changes to come.
WALTER REED NATIONAL MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER Bethesda
Beth Schmidt and the folks with the Wounded Warrior Project have been great partners during this time of COVID-19. The Wounded Warrior Project Team has been providing meals on a bi-weekly basis to all of our Fisher House families. Beth has been coordinating with the Bethesda Fisher House Team to make sure all of the families staying at our Fisher House have individually packed lunches delivered from a local establishment to help us take care of our Fisher House families.
MICHIGAN
VA ANN ARBOR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Ann Arbor
VA Ann Arbor Fisher House celebrated their one-year anniversary on June1, 2021 by hosting a barbecue for the families in residence. We were also joined by Brian Gawne (VP for Community Relations) and a few Fisher House Michigan board members.
MISSOURI
KANSAS CITY VA MEDICAL CENTER Kansas City
The Kansas City VA Medical Center is anxiously awaiting the opening of our Fisher House in Fall 2021. The hospital is buzzing with excitement as the house has recently gotten shutters, concrete walkways poured, and over 100 trees and shrubs delivered. Fisher House and voluntary service staff, pictured above, were excited to tour the home and see all the progress taking place. With new finishes going in everyday, the staff said that it is already starting to feel like home. VA ST. LOUIS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM St. Louis
Debra and Steve Dunham arrived at the St. Louis Fisher House May 9, 2020 and departed May 22, 2021. When they entered the house, little did they know they would be adding another branch on the family tree. We celebrated, cried, and overcame as a family. They came to see the staff as family — Vanniecia, Ann, Ken, Frank, George, and Justine. Strangers became forever friends over a meal, while social distancing over ice cream or hot cinnamon tea. Mr. and Mrs. D lived the St. Louis Fisher House-life for over 365 days. They departed when they WON the many trials they had to face and only after touching so many individuals.
NEW MEXICO
RAYMOND G. MURPHY VA MEDICAL CENTER Albuquerque
As vaccination numbers rise, the Albuquerque Fisher House is seeing more families accompany their veterans to the NMVA Medical Center. We welcomed 17 families in May, including our first children in over a year! We were so excited to welcome children again and our local donors were also giddy at the prospect of bringing something special for our young family members. The local Starbucks made a special bag fit for an 8-year-old when they brought over coffee and pastries for our families. When families walked into the kitchen to find
Starbucks waiting for them, some even squealed with glee!
Families going through the stress of a medical crisis find company now and know they are not alone. One guest in particular shed tears of relief when she came through the front door and saw other families eating in the dining room. She wiped her tears and said, “I’m just so relieved that I’m not alone anymore.” She had traveled hours to get to Albuquerque, did not know the area, and had spent an anxious night at a local hotel. She explained that being alone in a strange city is so scary, but the Fisher House made her finally feel safe.
NORTH CAROLINA
NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER CAMP LEJEUNE Camp Lejeune
The last year plus has been challenging for so many. There has been so much uncertainty. Now more than ever, the community support has been integral to the Camp Lejeune Fisher House's success. Whether it was a small box of toiletries from the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, a gift card donation from USAA or the United Daughters of the Confederacy Cape Fear Chapter, decorative wreaths for the front doors from the Marine Corps League Auxiliary Unit 262, Girl Scout Cookies from NC Packs for Patriots, or an impromptu pizza party (delivered socially distant) with gift cards from the Joseph Montfort Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, we wouldn't be the same home away from home for our service members and their families without it.
NEW YORK
ALBANY STRATTON VA MEDICAL CENTER Albany
The Albany Fisher House continues to benefit from the kindness of our supporters and friends as we begin to see an increase in families in need of lodging and assistance. We send our deepest appreciation to all who continue to help keep our kitchen and supplies fully stocked, our grounds looking beautiful, and, through it all, keeping this house a home!
The support and caring attitude that has always served to uplift this house has been sustained and keeps us confident and excited about the future! Thanks to all of you who have donated, assisted, sent encouragement, or helped in any way! Keep the good vibes coming and we will pass them on to our Fisher House families and team.
OHIO
As I was walking across the patio area headed to Fisher House 2, Mrs. Muller stopped me just to compliment the staff at the Cleveland VA Fisher House. She thanked all of the house staff: Nick, Drew, FH security, cleaning crew (Yolonda). “You all have been so wonderful to us," Mrs. Muller said. "Words could never express how we feel. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” She was here with her husband, Jim.
SOUTH CAROLINA
RALPLH H. JOHNSON VA MEDICAL CENTER Charleston
Fisher House Charleston volunteer and master gardener Shirley Cooper volunteered many hours to brighten the Fisher House back porch during a recent beautification project. Shirley and the Fisher House manager designed and created an oasis for guests to enjoy when staying at Fisher House Charleston. For several years, Shirley has also designed and cared for the front porch flowers and was more than happy to work on this project as well. We thank Shirley for sharing her time and expertise with Fisher House Charleston!