A family-owned seafood restaurant and their customers have come together to help those who provide “a home away from home” for veterans and their families.
Employees and patrons of Sea Island Shrimp House and Tiago's Cabo Grille helped raise $5,000 for the Fisher Houses at Fort Sam Houston. The funds were raised through a wristband promotion in all San Antonio area Sea Island locations, including The Forum, and the two Tiago's Cabo Grille locations.
Fort Sam Houston is the site of four Fisher Houses, which provide a place for veterans seeking medical care at Brooke Army Medical Center and their families. There are 54 Fisher Houses in the U.S. and Germany near military bases or Veterans Affairs medical centers.
Sea Island Chief Executive Officer Barclay Anthony presented the $5,000 check to Inge Godfrey, Fisher House manager at Fort Sam Houston, Friday at the Sea Island in The Forum. Along with Godfrey were two veterans, Ian Stauffer and Joseph Farley, who are staying with their families at the Fisher Houses.
“What do you say to guys that put their lives on the line to keep us safe and keep our country great?” Anthony said. “It's the biggest honor in the world to be able to help you guys.”
Godfrey, who helped open the first Fisher House at Fort Sam Houston in 1992, said the Fisher Houses are meant to provide a relaxing, less stressful atmosphere for veterans and their families.
“It's their home away from home, that's what our slogan is,” Godfrey said.
During her time at the Fisher House, Godfrey said San Antonio area residents have always stepped up to the plate when it comes to helping her organization and the veterans and families it cares for. “It is just overwhelming,” she said.
Stauffer said the Fisher House provides a refuge from the rigors of medical treatment.
“It is a place of comfort, a place of security and rehabilitation,” said Stauffer, whose right leg was injured by an explosive while serving in Afghanistan.
Stauffer's wife, Meagan, said being in the Fisher House allows her to be with her husband instead of having to stay in a hotel room.
“It's provided a way for me to stay with my husband,” Meagan Stauffer said. “The staff is absolutely fantastic. If there's something that you need you don't even have to tell them you need it, they will have it ready to go.
“They really care,” she added. “The fact they enjoy what they are doing makes a difference.”
Farley, who has Hopkins lymphoma cancer, said staying at the Fisher House allows him to be close to his wife Renate and their 2-year-old daughter, Kiana.
“It really helps with your treatments because you have that support from your family on a daily basis,” Farley said. “You are in a family atmosphere, environment. There is a lot of stuff for the families, especially for your kids. They keep busy while you are going through your treatments.
“You have that peace of mind they are going to be OK while you are going through your stuff, too,” he added.
The Fisher House is a nonprofit organization that builds the houses through private and public support. Once the houses are complete, they are given to the government as gifts. The military and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs are responsible for operation and maintenance of the houses.
