A location near the VA hospital in Middleton has been found for the Fisher House, a facility similar to the Ronald McDonald house but serving veterans and their families.
Steven Rose, executive director of Fisher House, described the project and how the nonprofit functions at the Waunakee Rotary Club’s July 24 meeting.
Fisher House Wisconsin is a personal mission for Steven, he said. The first Fisher House in Wisconsin was built in Milwaukee in 2011, but others are located throughout the country. They provide free, comfortable housing near the VA and hospitals that serve them for veterans and their caregivers while the veterans are undergoing surgery or treatment.
The suites are private, but the rest of the spaces – kitchen, library and living spaces – are communal. Common areas help foster the community support needed during such times.
“The goal is to take care of families so they can be in the right mindset to care for their loved one,” Steven said.
There are certain guidelines to follow: the person receiving care needs to be a veteran, and the families who stay there must need to travel more than 50 miles away. However, exceptions are made for those who don’t drive, have early morning appointments or find themselves in other circumstances.
Funding for the homes is a public-private partnership. Fischer House is a 501c3 that raises the funds to build the homes then donates them to the federal government. The house in Milwaukee cost $7.1 million. All Fisher Houses are built to meet strict VA and Department of Defense requirements.
So far, 7,200 military veterans and their families have stayed at the Fisher House in Milwaukee, which has had a massive impact on families, saving them thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for hotels and restaurants. Kitchens at Fisher House are fully stocked with food.
“We believe [veterans] should have a caregiver support system with them,” Steven said, adding studies have shown that the healing time is 10% less with that support in place.
******
Other News:
-The club was back at Rex’s for lunch this week.
-Rotarians can sign up for the Mallards event.
-Volunteers are needed for WaunaFest, particularly Saturday and Sunday.
Events
-July 24-27 - WaunaFest
-July 29 - Peace Pole Dedication at 5 p.m., Waunakee Neighborhood Connection
-Aug. 6, National Night Out at Village Park.
Greeters
July 31, Leah Abeyta and ??; Aug. 7, Phil Willems; Aug. 14, Kylie West and Shelley Moffatt.
To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/
