Building the Gainesville Fisher House

June 25, 2010 - Gainesville, Florida will get a Fisher House, once they raise enough money. Fisher Houses exist to help the families of those who have served this country. Current plans call for the construction of the Fisher House on the land of the Gainesville Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Following two fundraising events, the local Fisher House Foundation has raised $1.2 million. To make the Fisher House a reality, they must raise $2.5 million. Once that is accomplished, the national Fisher House Organization will provide a 100% matching of funds. Fundraising efforts are going to continue and the tentative goal is to break ground next spring. The Fisher House will receive absolutely no government funding.

The national organization gave the local foundation 4 plans for how to construct the Fisher House. Once built, the house will consist of 16,000 square feet and will attempt to approach, as much as possible, a home-life environment for those family members visiting service personnel being treated at the Gainesville VA Medical Center. The house will include:

• 20 family suites;
• A commons area; and
• A communal kitchen.

Once everything is constructed, the state run VA assumes the management role of the House. Families' needs, however, will be fulfilled by the local Fisher House Foundation, regardless of what needs they may be. The Foundation will do anything within its power to satisfy the needs of families of soldiers and the house will include:   

• Stocked pantries;
• Fresh linens;
• Dishes; and
• Pots and pans.

 The Gainesville VA Medical Center is one of the busiest in the country, which is why it is so imperative this Fisher House is built. The House will sit right next to the Gainesville Medical Center and it is expected to be full to capacity as soon as the doors open.