Fisher House Field Trip & Donation

The 2011-2012 CAR National Theme is “Living the American Dream” and the President’s Project is to support and raise funds for the Fisher House Foundation.  A Fisher House is a home away from home for veterans facing illness.  Zachary Fisher was a prominent figure in the New York real estate community and a major philanthropic benefactor for the men and women in the United States Armed Forces, as well as numerous other not-for-profit organizations.  In 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher began the Fisher House program, dedicating more than $20 million to the construction of comfort homes for families of hospitalized military personnel.  In 1993, a Fisher House opened at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora.  It was one of the first  eleven Fisher Houses operating at that time.    

Denver Fisher House is one of the busier facilities. In 2010, it provided lodging to 521 active-duty and veteran military families, with a total savings to these people of more than $148,000. Funding comes from the foundation, now run by the couple's relatives, and private donations. (Zachary Fisher , a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, died in 1999.) The VA provides staff and maintenance.  The Denver house's annual budget is about $90,000. A push is on to build a new 20-room Fisher House to coincide with the planned 2014 opening of a new medical center on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

The Denver Fisher House is furnished like a home.   Its nine room rooms sleep two or four; port-a-cribs and rollaway beds are available. Rooms have TVs, radios and telephones. Most have a private bath.  The downstairs walls are painted pale yellow with white trim, with a fireplace and bookshelves in the living room.  Each family has a cupboard for food. The two large refrigerators operate on the honor system.                                                                                                                                                    

December 10th, CAR members visited the Fisher House located in Aurora and delivered a huge box of holiday treats for the residents.  They also donated some video games, paper products and healthy snacks that were on their wish list.  Mike Moss past Board of Directors President greeted us and accepted our gift on behalf of the Fisher House.  Many thanks to the Lull family for their generous $50.00 donation.