Back to In The News

Funds secured for new facility

Augusta Chronicle
By Preston Sparks | South Carolina Bureau Chief
06.14.09

If you factor in pledges, a $1.8 million fundraising goal has been met for a Fisher House to be built at the Uptown Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Lee Smith Jr., the president and CEO of The Community Foundation, which has been receiving donations for the cause, says $1.6 million has been secured, with the remainder having been promised recently.

"It really makes a positive statement for this community, and outside of the community there's been a lot of support," he said. "It's been just wonderful."

The Fisher House program offers housing to family members of injured service members while they recuperate.

Mr. Smith said he's heard a groundbreaking could take place as early as this fall. He estimated it could take a year after that for construction to be completed.

The 16,000-square-foot building, to be built next to the VA where some old physician residences now sit, will have 21 bedrooms, offering additional space beyond the Fisher House near Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon.

A couple of years ago when the project started, the national Fisher Foundation told area officials they would build another Fisher House in Augusta if the community could raise half of the $3.6 million cost.

Since then, construction costs have increased, with the figure now at $5.4 million.

However, Mr. Smith said Fisher officials are standing by their request for $1.8 million.

"The credit is also due to the Fisher Foundation," he said. "They have not batted an eye."

Lucy Dillon, a member of the Aiken County Veterans Council and a chairwoman of the project, says the new location is badly needed because the current Fisher House stays at capacity.

She said having family nearby can help a service member heal more quickly.

"It's a good project," Ms. Dillon said. "If you go and you visit them (the injured military members), you'll understand. It's hard to refuse them."

The project is especially dear to her heart because her son, Marine Cpl. Matthew Dillon, was killed in Iraq in 2006.

She said she's been amazed at how people have donated to the cause, and she's taken up collections in the past by asking people to drop money into her son's boots.

"Individuals and corporations are very generous about helping taking care of our troops, and that's what this basically gets down to," she said.

With the fundraising being such a success, the drive will continue.

"We have committed -- that after it (the new Fisher House) is built -- to help fund needs of the families that the VA doesn't cover," Ms. Dillon said. "So it will be an ongoing project."

Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com

Back to In The News