Fisher House Foundation facts for kids
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| Founded | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher |
| Type | Non-Profit Organization |
| Focus | Service members, veterans and their families |
| Location |
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| Method | Construction of comfortable temporary lodging facilities near military hospitals and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers |
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Key people
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Kenneth Fisher, Chairman and CEO |
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Employees
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25 |
Fisher House Foundation is a special non-profit group. It helps military members, veterans, and their families. They work with the Veterans Health Administration. The foundation provides free services to make life easier for these families.
Their main goal is to build comfort homes. These homes offer a temporary place to stay. They are for families whose loved ones are getting medical treatment. These homes are usually very close to major military hospitals.
The foundation also has other helpful programs. These include "Hero Miles" and "Hotels for Heroes." They also give scholarships and help families during difficult times.
Contents
How Fisher House Started
The idea for Fisher House began in 1990. A kind couple named Zachary Fisher and Elizabeth Fisher started it. They saw that military families needed a place to stay. This was especially true when a family member was in the hospital.
The very first Fisher House opened in 1991. It was at a big military hospital in Maryland. President George Bush Sr. and Mrs. Bush were there for the opening!
The Fishers worked with the government. They built these homes on government land. Then, they gave the homes to the military. This way, the homes could help families forever. Their goal was to give families a "home away from home." This helps families be part of the healing process.
Zachary Fisher continued to use his own money to build more homes. He did this until he passed away in 1999. Today, Ken Fisher, Zachary’s grand-nephew, leads the foundation. He is the Chairman and CEO.
Homes for Military Families
As of September 2023, there are more than 95 Fisher Houses. You can find them in the United States, Germany, and the UK. In the UK, they work with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity and Help for Heroes.
Fisher Houses are designed to be very comfortable. They can have up to 21 private suites. Each suite has its own bedroom and bathroom.
Families staying there share common areas. These include a kitchen, laundry rooms, and a dining room. There is also a cozy living room. This setup helps families feel at home and support each other.
Making a Difference
Fisher House Foundation has helped many families. Since 1990, over 445,000 families have stayed in Fisher Houses. This has saved them a lot of money. It has saved them more than $575 million in lodging and travel costs.
The organization also helps families during tough times. For example, they have provided financial support to families of soldiers. This was when soldiers died while serving their country. They helped when government payments were delayed.
Working Together
Fisher House Foundation partners with many other groups. These partnerships help them raise money. They also help stock the homes with supplies. And they help military families in many ways.
Some of their partners include:
- Newman's Own
- Suave
- Fuzzy's Vodka
- National Football League Players Association (NFLPA)
- Hope for the Warriors
- Food Lion Feeds
- Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill
- Samsung
- Walmart (for their "Operation: Deck the Walls" program)
Awards and Recognition
In 2018, Fisher House Foundation received a special award. It was named the top charity for supporting military families. This was based on how well they manage their money and how open they are.
Charity Navigator is a group that rates charities. They have given Fisher House Foundation their highest rating, four stars. They have done this for 16 years in a row, as of 2019. This shows that the foundation is very trustworthy.
See also
- Naval Support Activity Bethesda
- Ronald McDonald House Charities, a similar charity for civilians
