Bronx, NY Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. and NYC commissioner, Department of Veterans’ Services Loree Sutton joined Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation, and James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJP) director Dr. Eric Langhoff to break ground on the first two Fisher Houses that will be built in the city. Fisher Houses are facilities that provide free temporary lodging to families of service members and veterans who are receiving medical care at military and VA medical centers. The two new houses will serve nearly 12,000 families a year, saving them up to $3 million.
Fisher House Foundation
The non-profit Fisher House Foundation, a national leader serving the families of veterans and military, funds and constructs the houses, which are gifted to VA or Defense upon completion. The two Fisher Houses, which will cost $14 million to build, will be gifted to VA.
“For nearly three decades we’ve seen firsthand how important it is to the well-being and recovery of our veterans and service members to have loved ones near as they receive treatment,” said Fisher. “Members of our Armed Forces and veterans have made such tremendous sacrifices for us, it is our duty to do everything we can to contribute to their speedy recovery. We are honored to build these Fisher Houses in the Bronx that will serve the veterans and their families who travel to the Bronx VA for medical care.”
Each of the two Fisher Houses at JJP will be 14,000 s/f, contain 16 living suites with private bedrooms and bathrooms, and families share common kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, and laundry facilities.
“We are proud and appreciative to have received favorable consideration of our Fisher House application” said Dr. Langhoff, director at JJP. “This home-away-from-home will be a tremendous comfort for our wounded warriors and their families. We look forward to the coming months with anticipation and gratitude to the Fisher House Foundation.”
Delta Air Lines has made the largest contribution to the construction of the Bronx Fisher Houses, with a gift of $1 million. The airline has also been a leading partner of the Hero Miles program in which Fisher House provides free airline tickets to wounded, injured, and ill service members and/or their families who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center.
“With more than 10,000 veteran and active military employees in our own workforce, Delta is a longtime supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces and proud partner of Fisher House Foundation,” said Chuck Imhof, vice president-New York sales, Delta Air Lines. “We are honored to have played a role in the opening of these Fisher Houses in the Bronx, and we know they will be valuable resources for military families and this community for years to come.”
Since 1990, the Fisher House Foundation has provided 7 million days of free lodging to more than 305,000 military families, saving them more than $360 million in travel and lodging expenses.
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