NJROTC Makes $500 donation to Fisher House of Keesler

NJROTC Makes $500 donation to Fisher House of Keesler

Picayune Item

10.08.11

Picayune NJROTC has once again gone above and beyond. During the unit’s first annual Military Family Appreciation Day (MFAD), held on September 17th, the cadets raised money for the Fisher House of Keesler (FHD). The Fisher House Foundation is a non-profit organization and counts solely on the donations that they receive from the public. On Monday, October 3rd, the unit presented a check for $500 to Mr. Larry Vetter of Fisher House of Keesler. Vetter said, “We are providing a home away from home for the families of the men and women that fight for our country while their loved ones are hospitalized.” FHK was first operational in January 1993 and is the sixth of 54 operational Fisher Houses. The Fisher House homes are usually located within walking distance of the treatment facility but for those that are not within a walking distance the Fisher House provides transportation. As of today, there are currently 54 Fisher Houses located on 21 military installations and throughout 18 VA medical centers, with many more houses under construction or in the design phase. Each of the Fisher House is designed to provide anywhere from eight to 21 suites, which can accommodate 16 to 42 family members. The program began back in 1990 and has offered more than three million days of lodging to more than 120,000 families. Families do not pay to stay at a Fisher House. In 2010 alone there were more than 12,000 families served with an average stay length of fifteen days. The Fisher House saved families more that $17 million in lodging costs, plus transportation and food just last year alone. If you would like to make a donation to the Fisher House of Keesler in name of the Picayune NJROTC please contact Mr. Larry Vetter, manager at 228-377-8264 (DSN: 597) or toll-free 1-800-732-2984, ext. 8264. After duty hours, call 228-806-5878. Address: Fisher House of Mississippi 509 Fisher Street Keesler Air Force Base, MS 39534 If you would like to know more about the Fisher House Foundation please visit www.fisherhouse.org.