Fisher House at Travis AFB receives upgrades

Published Nov. 22, 2011
By Airman Madelyn Ottem
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Travis AFB Fisher House received renovations provided by a local hardware store on the exterior and interior of the house Nov. 18 to improve the quality of life for the residents during their stay.

The Fisher House mission is to provide the family members of patients with serious illness or injury staying at David Grant USAF Medical Center, a respite that will cause no financial hardship.

The renovations included more than $15,000 dollars in donation from the Home Depot Corporation and a day of manpower from 66 employees to make all the installations.

The house received remote-controlled ceiling fans in the upstairs rooms, light bulbs with higher energy efficiency, remodeling in the laundry room to allow for two washers and dryers, a new coat of paint for all the base boards, re-caulked bathrooms, a power washed exterior and new outside lights including a solar panel, motion-activated patio light.

"They are doing so much for us," said Charlene Hall, Travis Fisher House manager. "We are so appreciative of everything they are doing."

"Community outreach is something that is passionate to me. It's a blessing that I work for a company that supports that," said Lucretia Heath, Fairfield Home Depot manager

According to Hall, it is important for patient recovery to have family members nearby.

"We just had a mother from Pennsylvania whose son was stationed in Monterey, Calif., he had to have brain surgery and they didn't know anybody here," Hall said. "We have another family, the patient is stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and was sent to Travis for care. The mother and sister live in Colorado and they came to Travis to support their family member. It's better for the patient to be surrounded by family during their recovery, especially while they are in a place where they don't know anybody," she said.

Not only does the Fisher House provide fully furnished rooms, washers and dryers and meals free of cost, the house has also proven a place of bonding and support for the families facing similar challenges.

"When you stay at a hotel nobody cares why you're there," Hall said. "All of our families bond together and support each other, they take care of each other. Some stay friends for years after they meet here."

The house has been a "home away from home" for more than 3,300 families since its opening in 1994 and can support up to 7 families at a time.

No matter how small, anybody that does anything to help this house is greatly appreciated, Hall said.

"We are able to operate without having to worry because of all the support we receive," she said. "We're not stressing over whether or not we will be able to keep going, because of all the wonderful support the house receives."

"It's an honor and a privilege to provide a service to the men and women who constantly provide the entire country with their service," said Gregg Kenney, Home Depot district manager.

The Fisher House operates entirely upon donations. To donate, visit www.fisherhouse.org and designate the Travis house.