Groundbreaking Held for the Orlando Fisher House
Groundbreaking Held for the Orlando Fisher House
On November 30, 2016 the Orlando VA Medical Center hosted the groundbreaking for Orlando Fisher House. Remarks were given by Timothy Liezert, Director of the Orlando VA Medical Center; The Honorable Patrick J. Murphy, Under Secretary of the Army; and Ken Fisher, CEO of the Fisher House Foundation, and former Fisher House guests.
The Orlando Fisher House will provide a “home away from home” at no cost for families and caregivers of Veterans and active duty military personnel receiving treatment at the Orlando VA Medical Center. Fisher House Foundation has built 71 Fisher Houses in the US and overseas, with 31 supporting VA medical centers.
“The building of the Fisher House at the Orlando VA Medical Center is another example of VA partnering with a great organization to serve Veterans. The Fisher House Foundation has a great mission in providing comfort and support to families, while loved ones are receiving healthcare services at the VA,” said Orlando VA Medical Center Director Tim Liezert. “As we fulfill our promise of providing world-class care for those that served, it’s important that we also support the family as a critical element during the Veterans’ healing process. We thank the Fisher House Foundation for making that possible.”
Located on the campus of the Orlando VA Medical Center, the two-story, 16-home suite will feature a common kitchen, laundry facility, spacious dining room and an inviting living room with a library and toys for children. In 2016, VA Fisher Houses have accommodated nearly 23,000 Veteran families, saving them more than $3 million in lodging costs.
“We are so proud to be breaking ground for a new Fisher House in Orlando, FL.,” said Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. “Like VA, we know that when it comes to our nation’s heroes, wounds of war – invisible or visible – are felt by the entire family. Families struggle together, rejoice together, and heal together. At Fisher House Foundation, we know having family at one’s side plays a vital role in the journey to recovery. This private-public partnership with VA will serve these families and veterans for decades to come.”
The Orlando Fisher House is expected to open to Veteran families in 2018. Construction of this Fisher House is supported by: World's Largest Golf Outing, Deloitte, ESPN Corporate Citizenship, Sons of the American Legion - Detachment of FL, and Friends of Fisher House Orlando.
For more information, visit: www.fisherhouse.org. For photos please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/fisherhousefoundation/albums.
