Ceremony Highlights Fisher House Groundbreaking

Ceremony Highlights Fisher House Groundbreaking

Augusta Chronicle

By Gracie Shepherd

12.09.09

Families of veteran or active duty military personnel receiving treatment at the VA Medical Center will have a place to stay now, thanks to a “home away from home” that is being built on the grounds of the medical center.

The Fisher House Foundation is building a 21-bedroom house for military families to stay for free while their loved ones are being treated.

Ground breaking for the house took place Wednesday morning, with Ken Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation, as the keynote speaker.

“The need for this house is critical in many ways,” Mr. Fisher said. “America owes these men and women a debt it can never repay. The Fisher House is just one small step towards that end.”

This Fisher House will be the first one in the Southeast, as well as being the most requested location ever, he added.

The Augusta community raised more than $1.8 million for the project, with over 150 contributors donating amounts ranging from less than five dollars to a quarter million dollars.

“Today is just another example of how much the CSRA cares,” Gen. Jeffrey Foley, the commanding general of Fort Gordon, said. “That is a testament to our community.”

The project is estimated to cost more than $5 million and will take approximately 18 months to complete.