If you are "serving" only here on the home front, one way you can support our warriors and their families is to make a financial contribution. One deserving cause is the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides much-needed lodging for the families of wounded or sick veterans.
The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illnes, disease, or injury.
There is at least one Fisher House™ at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House™ program serves more than 8,500 families, and have made available more than two million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990.
A new and much-needed Fisher House facility opened recently in Houston.
The wind was blowing and the sky threatened rain April 5, but nothing could put a damper on the spirits of those who gathered to dedicate the Fisher House, Houston on the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center campus.Approximately 400 military veterans, Texas Medical Center leaders, a former U.S. president, and state and national legislators were on hand to celebrate the opening of this "home away from home" that will house veterans and their families as the veterans receive treatment for long-term illnesses or injuries.
Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., the Houston VA Medical Center's namesake, said family support is critical to the success of recovering patients.
"Having had a great deal of personal experience with patients whose families lived a great distance from the hospital where I was taking care of them, I learned to appreciate the importance of the support of the family," he said. "Having a place where family can reside to be near their loved ones provides extraordinarily valuable medical support."
"We are very fortunate at this VA hospital to have one of the finest quality medical services in the country," DeBakey continued. "I am so proud to have my name associated with this hospital."
Gallery Furniture President Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale donated seven truckloads of home furnishings, including sofas, chairs, tables, beds and lamps.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson said facilities like the Fisher Houses were not available to veterans of World War II and Vietnam.
"A house like this gives warmth, offers facilities and brings families together ... it's a gift," he said. "This is a red-letter day for the VA."
Typically, the average charge for lodging at a Fisher House is $10 a night, but the stay is free at this newest addition to the "fleet," as it is at nine other Fisher House locations. However, for families of wounded soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, lodging at any Fisher House is always free.
Community support is integral to the Fisher House Foundation's mission. Half the money to support each new house comes from donations, which the foundation matches to cover construction expenses. No money is borrowed to build.
In Houston, more than $1 million was raised in just 38 days.
You can make an online donation in a matter of moments. Memorial Day would be an appropriate occasion, don't you think?
Posted by Alan at May 30, 2005 12:30 PM