Back to In The News

Frank Scheib is giving back to Fisher House

by Denise Bonura
The Record Herald
02.27.06

WAYNESBORO - A Waynesboro man is spreading the word about a program that benefited his own family.

Frank Scheib, 72, became a volunteer for the Fisher House Foundation last month. Already, he has raised more than $1,000 with more on the way.

Fisher Houses are similar to Ronald McDonald houses, except Fisher Houses are designed for military personnel and their families.

According to the foundation's Web site, www.fisherhouse.org, the nonprofit organization provides "homes away from home" on the grounds of major military hospitals and VA medical centers.

When a soldier or veteran is hospitalized with a war injury or medical condition, their family can stay in the Fisher House at no charge to be close to their loved one..

"Our organization relies solely on volunteers; we do not borrow any money," said James Weiskopf, the organization's vice president of communications.

There are 33 Fisher Houses in operation across the country, and six more are being built.

"People need to be aware of the need to house the families of these wonderful people," Scheib said.

Scheib's story

Scheib was introduced to the foundation in 1993 when his son, Franklin K. Scheib, 42, of Waynesboro underwent major surgery at Bethesda Naval Hospital for a brain tumor.

During his stay with his son, Scheib suffered a heart attack and his wife, Alma, 69, stayed in Bethesda's Fisher House.

"Staying at the Fisher House was great because it allowed me to be close to my family members in a place I wasn't familiar with," said Alma Scheib, describing the support she felt from other families.

"Talking with other families helps you cope with the situation and minimize your concerns," she said.

The elder Scheib is the youngest of 18 children and has a history of military service in his family.

He served for more than 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a master sergeant who worked closely with the joint chiefs of staff and the Department of Defense.

He has three brothers who served in the Navy, Army and Air Force. His father and his grandfather also served in the military.

When he retired from the military in 1973, Scheib worked for the Waynesboro Area School District, helping to install the computer system. He also served on Waynesboro Borough Council for four years.

Scheib is not new to volunteering. He helped raise more than $3 million for the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, has a fund sponsored by local churches that goes to the Memorial Refugee Fund and collects aluminum cans to sell for the American Brain Tumor Association.

When asked why he volunteers so much, Scheib said he has to be involved in something.

"It's my nature," he said.

"My father is the greatest man that I have ever or will ever know," said the younger Scheib. "He and my mother have both helped so many people. I am truly blessed."

Fisher Foundation

The Fisher House Foundation was established in 1990 by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher of New York City after Pauline Trost, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Carlisle Trost, presented the idea to them, according to the Web site.

Since the dedication of the Bethesda house on June 24, 1991, some 32 additional houses have been built and six more are on the way.

"Our wish is that we didn't have to build these homes," Weiskopf said. "Until there are no wars or illnesses, we will try to meet this need to the best of our ability."

Statistics

These facts are reported in a foundation brochure:

• The homes typically contain 5,000 to 16,000 square feet are designed to accommodate 16 to 42 people.
• Military service secretaries and the secretary of veterans affairs are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the homes.
• More than 70,000 families have been served since inception.
• The average number of families served per year is 8,000.
• The number of lodging days offered since inception is 2 million.
• The average length of stay is 12 days.
• The average length of stay for combat casualties is 60 to 90 days.
• There are 4,000 volunteers per year.
• The program has saved families nearly $70 million in lodging costs, as well as food and transportation.

Donations

Scheib hopes the community will recognize the need to help families and said he will continue to volunteer for the Fisher Foundation until he is no longer around.

"No thanks are ever enough for our heroes, our medical staff and for our donors," he said.

Scheib isn't shy about asking for donations - for the Fisher House and his other "causes."

Scheib said when Lloyd Hamberger, the borough manager, saw him coming, he asked, "OK, how much do you want?"

Donations can be made out to the Fisher House Foundation and sent to Frank Scheib, P.O. Box 442, Waynesboro, Pa. 17268. For more information, call the Scheibs at 762-8288.

Donations can also be mailed to: Fisher House Foundation Inc., 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600, Rockville, Md. 20852.

All donations are tax deductible.

Download the Story from The Record Herald - Adobe PDF

Back to In The News