Fisher House Foundation Dedicates New Facility at Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, FL (PRWEB) May 16, 2014 -- Congressman Ted Yoho, 3rd Congressional District; Rick Fabiani, President, Gainesville Fisher House; and Thomas Wisnieski, Director, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System joined Fisher House Foundation President David Coker here today to dedicate the newest Fisher House at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, that provides lodging for families of wounded warriors and Veterans at no cost while a loved one undergoes treatment at the hospital. These beautiful homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time – during the hospitalization for a combat injury, illness or disease.
The 20-suite, 16,800 sq.-ft. “comfort home” joins the other 60+ Fisher Houses operating in the United States and Europe, and was gifted to the VA as part of today’s ceremony. Each bedroom suite comes equipped with a private, handicapped-accessible bathroom. Common areas include a spacious kitchen, large communal living, dining and family rooms, laundry room and patio.
“It’s a privilege to expand our support in this region with a Fisher House, and to amplify the care provided to our Veterans and their families,” said Mr. Coker. “We are pleased to see the doors open to this beautiful home, which will be a refuge for families for years to come.”
“We are very excited to have a Fisher House located at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center,” said Mr. Wisnieski, Director of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. “Without the generous donations provided by so many compassionate individuals and businesses within the community, this facility would not have become a reality. The hospitalization of a loved one can be a very stressful time for both the patient and family members. Having the ability to provide a safe and homelike environment for the families is an honor and a commitment that we (VA) take seriously and we look forward to serving many families in the future years.”
Construction of this Fisher House was supported by: The Cade Family, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Gainesville Fisher House Foundation, Gainesville Rotary Foundation, Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund, Ted L. McIntyre II and Family, and Jay Leno.
About Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $200 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.
Jody Fisher, Rubenstein Communications, +1 (212) 843-8296, [email protected]
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