Orlando, FL, Feb. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Randy C. Reeves, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, joined Fisher House Foundation president David Coker here today to dedicate the newest Fisher House at the Orlando VA Medical Center. This home will provide lodging for up to 16 families of eligible veterans and military at no cost, allowing them to be close to their loved one at the most stressful time – during the hospitalization for a combat injury, illness or disease.
The Orlando Fisher House will not only create an instant community for its residents, united by their common mission of supporting a sick or injured loved one, but it will also provide each individual with a secure and private refuge after a long day at the hospital to rest and recharge.
The 16-suite, 14,000 sq.-ft. “comfort home” joins 75 other Fisher Houses operating in the United States and Europe and was gifted to VA as part of today’s ceremony. Each bedroom suite comes equipped with a private, handicapped-accessible bathroom. The common areas include a spacious kitchen, large communal living, dining and family rooms, laundry room and patio.
“Fisher House Foundation didn’t do this alone,” said Mr. Coker. “We are thankful for the support of the Orlando community, who has rallied behind our mission of helping military and veterans’ families. This beautiful home will support them for decades to come.”
“We welcome the Orlando Fisher House as our newest home away from home located at a VA facility,” said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy C. Reeves. “I want to thank the Fisher House Foundation for providing a special place that comforts and cares for the incredible families supporting our veterans and military families receiving care at our VA medical centers.”
Construction of this Fisher House was supported by: The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, World’s Largest Golf Outing, ESPN Corporate Citizenship, The David and Lucille Robbins Foundation, Wohlers Family Foundation, Cardinal Health, Deloitte, Elite Hearing Network, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, Tee It Up For The Troops, Team Fisher House fundraisers, and the Sons of the American Legion Detachment of FL/Dept. of FL Auxiliary.
About Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ 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, and in Europe, 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 lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $400+ 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.
www.fisherhouse.org
About the Orlando VA Medical Center
The Orlando VA Medical Center serves more than 110,000 Veterans in Central Florida and includes a 120-bed Community Living Center, two Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs/Domiciliaries (60-beds located at the Lake Nona Campus and 58-beds at the Lake Baldwin Campus), one Health Care Center in Viera, two large multi-specialty Satellite Outpatient Clinics in Orlando (Lake Baldwin campus) and Daytona Beach, and four Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Clermont, Kissimmee, Orange City, and Tavares. The 65-acre medical center, located in Lake Nona, encompasses 134 acute inpatient beds, providing complex Medical/Surgical/Mental Health specialty care, advanced diagnostic services, a large multispecialty outpatient clinic and emergency services.
HI RES EVENT PHOTOS AVAILABLE FROM AESTILL@FISHERHOUSE.ORG.
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Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/581efee2-13b4-4b17-ab91-961b40121eaa
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a05603f7-6409-4c4e-8e83-8ccf4fd54b4e