Sounds of the Season, Part 2, December 25, 2009
After a delicious dinner, lovingly prepared by members of Soldiers Angels, young guest Gabriel offered a song for the guests.
Sounds of the Season, December 4, 2009
For the second year in a row, we officially kicked off the holiday season with a concert of carols by the Excalibur ensemble from John F. Kennedy Catholic High School. Under the direction of Mrs. Lindsey Brown, these young singers raised the roof of our holiday home with their beautiful harmonies.
The singers of Excalibur brought the music of the season to Fisher House guests.
Young Adrian enjoyed the concert.
After the concert, choristers snacked on cookies provided by our friends at PeaceTags.
Dinner and Spa Night, December 3, 2009
Members of Soldiers Angels treated our guests to dinner and make-overs. It was a big hit with our guests who enjoyed the extra bit of (much deserved) pampering.
Food and fellowship.
Photo credit - Dara Casey
Guests pose mid-make-over.
Photo credit-Dara Casey
Happy, beautiful faces.
Photo credit - Dara Casey
Thanksgiving Dinner, November 26, 2009
VA Puget Sound is blessed with many supportive friends in the community. But there is something special about our "fairy god-mother" Vanessa Strickland. She organized family (including caterer mom, Gigi) and friends to come to Fisher House on Thanksgiving and prepare a feast for guests. It was a lavish meal for over 60 guests and we cannot thank Vanessa and her family enough for their friendship and generosity.
Vanessa Strickland, our fairy godmother
Vanessa's friends and family cooked a magnificent feast.
The Seti-Horton family enjoying their meal.
The Jones family .
Veterans Day Dinner, November 11, 2009
Members of the Federal Executive Board treated Fisher House families to a muy bueno, made-from-scratch Mexican feast. Staffers arrived early to prepare the meal and stayed to serve and spend time with families. "I felt so spoiled," one guest reported. That's no more than our Veteran and military families deserve.
Veterans Day Brunch, November 10, 2009
On November 10, staff from the Director's office took time out to prepare and serve a beautiful brunch for Fisher House families. The menu consisted of strata, fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and juice. We thank our colleagues (some of whom came in very early to start serving!) for their generous gift of time and culinary ability. The effort was very much appreciated.
VAPSHCS Deputy Director DeAnn Lestenkof stirs up eggs.
Staffer (and brunch organizer) Michelle Power sautes vegetables.
 Top row: left to right: Lynn, Emily, Ethel, Sherry, David
Bottom row: Assistant Manager Lorraine with Michelle
Families enjoy their Veterans Day brunch. Around the table left to right: Libby, Anne, Cheryl & Dorothy
Happy Halloween, from our house to yours!
Left to right: Housekeeper Steve McFadden, Manager Cecile Bagrow, Assistant Manager Lorraine Thomas
Sounders Play-off Game,October 29, 2009
Thanks to the generosity of the Seattle Seahawks, our families were invited to watch the first Sounders play-off game from the comfort of a box suite. Special thanks to Mike Flood, VP of Community Relations at the Seahawks/Sounders for coordinating the event. Another shout out of gratitude to the fine folks at Transpro, who donated shuttle services.
Neal King and his son, Abe take in the action.
Judy and Dona enjoy snacks provided by Virginia Mason Hospital.
This was Charlotte's first soccer game.
Pumpkin Carving, October 27, 2009
Following a sustaining meal of spagetti & meatballs, families gathered in the dining room for a little "Monster Mash" and pumpkin carving. (We used Funkins....just as much jack-o-lantern fun but without the pumpkin mess!)
Guests carve pumpkins under the guidance of Manager Cecile Bagrow. Careful now!
Heidi is intense....
Kim is a little dangerous.
Lynn wins the prize for carved writing.
Tessa is too young to carve pumpkins, but she'd rather hang out with Daddy anyway.
Our handiwork.
Happy Birthday to Us! September 10, 2009
On a beautiful, sunny day the staff and guests of Fisher House held a combination 1st birthday/Founders Day celebration. Hospital staff and volunteers joined in the fun. We are privileged to serve our military families through the VA Puget Sound Fisher House and were delighted to share the day with our colleagues and guests.
(click here for more photos from the celebration)
Karaoke, July 22, 2009
When Mary Guillozet called to confirm her room it just happened to come up in conversation that she is a KJ (Karaoke Jockey). That information was so positively received that she offered to bring her "kit" along. After fortifying ourselves with pizza and salad, guests and staff took to the patio (it was a beautiful summer evening) for 3 hours of song and laughter.
Mary gets the party started.
Eat your heart out, Hannah Montana.
"Johnny Angel, how I love him..."
Kim gets some backup from daughter Fola.
Mary, Bobbie & Heidi in "Margaritaville"
Mary and Lorraine take a turn on the dance floor.
Val and Tom go country...
Tiffany takes it downtown.
Thanks, Mary, for an enjoyable evening!
Mariners vs Diamondbacks, June 20, 2009
Thanks to the generosity of a donor, Manager Cecile Bagrow was able to treat some of our families to a night at Safeco Field. The excellent seats provided a terrific view of Seattle's 7-3 win over Arizona.
Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners
(photo credit: Kim Horton)
Manager Bagrow with Fola outside The Safe
(photo credit: Kim Horton)
Jolee Karr with son Bradon & Kim Horton with daughter Fola take in the action
Mother's Day Tea, May 10, 2009
Our dear friends from Soldier's Angels came to Fisher House to provide a elegant High Tea for residents of Fisher House. Mums (and a few someday-mums) and their loved ones were treated to a luscious buffet of treats and pots of tea. Soft music, flowers and cards rounded out the event. It was a time of well-deserved pampering for a group of women who give so much of themselves every day in support of their families. Thank you, Soldier's Angels!
BINGO!
On April 1st we held our first Bingo Night. Families first gathered for pizza and salad from Tutta Bella in nearby Columbia City. Then, having gained sustenance, Cecile Bagrow, Fisher House Manager, called four lively rounds of bingo.
"G 17!"
Delighted winners pose with their prizes
Even those who weren't so lucky enjoyed themselves.
As one guest put it at the end of the evening, "It was so nice to have something to look forward to all day".
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