Vet News: Newest Fisher House Opens at VA Portland Health Care System
The first Fisher House in the state of Oregon was dedicated today by Todd Burnett, acting director, VA Portland Health Care System and David Coker, president of Fisher House Foundation. This home will provide lodging for up to 16 families of Veterans and military at no cost, allowing them to be close to their loved ones at the most stressful time – during their hospitalization at the VA Portland Health Care System.
The Fisher House will not only create an instant community for its residents, united by their common mission of supporting a sick or injured loved one, but also will provide each individual with a secure and private refuge after a long day at the hospital to rest and recharge.
The 16-suite, 13,500 sq.-ft. “comfort home” joins the other 65+ Fisher Houses operating in the United States and Europe, and was gifted to VA as part of today’s ceremony. Each bedroom suite comes equipped with a private, handicapped-accessible bathroom. Common areas include a spacious kitchen, large communal living, dining and family rooms, laundry room and patio.
“We are privileged to bring Fisher House to the Portland and Vancouver community,” said Coker. “We appreciate all those who so generously contributed their gifts to make this home a reality.”
“The addition of this new Fisher House at the Portland VA matches perfectly with our efforts to provide personalized care for our entire Veteran family,” said Burnett.“I do not know how to put into words how Fisher House Foundation has helped enhance the healing experience of our Nation’s Veterans for decades to come – but myself, our VA Portland staff, our Veterans, family members, and community thank the Foundation for it.We are eternally grateful.”
The largest single donation made to build the Portland Fisher House was provided by the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation and the Taylor Family, who own Enterprise Holdings – the world’s largest car rental provider as measured by revenue, fleet and employees.
“Supporting military members and their families has been a part of Enterprise’s heritage since it was founded by Jack Taylor nearly six decades ago,” said Jim Mann of Enterprise Holdings. “In fact, Enterprise is named after the USS Enterprise, one of the aircraft carriers that Jack served on as a Navy pilot during World War II. The recent contributions to the Fisher House from the Taylor Family as well as the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation continue a decades-long tradition of military support.”
Construction of this Fisher House was also supported by: Albertsons Safeway on behalf of the Safeway Foundation, Pendleton Woolen Mills and Wireless Advocates, LLC.
