June 10, 2010

Healing Garden Dedicated

SEATTLE - It rained all week (and most of the 10 weeks of the construction) but the sun was shining on Thursday afternoon for the dedication of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House Healing Garden.    Guests gathered on the patio for the welcome by Manager Cecile Bagrow, who introduced Mr. David A. Elizalde, new Director of VA Puget Sound Health Care System.  "The garden we dedicate today is one more way for Fisher House families to find respite and solace.  The healing garden is intended to soothe their souls and refresh their spirits", Elizalde said.   

Pat Norikane-Logerwell, board member of the Friends of VA Puget Sound Fisher House, acknowledged the hard work and commitment of the UW Landscape Architecture students who designed and built the Healing Garden.   The dedication of the garden was the culmination of over a year of effort on behalf of Norikane-Logerwell to bring this project to the Fisher House.    She acknowledged the members of the focus group (composed of VA staff and Fisher House guests) and the Advisory Committee for their contributions to the project.   In-kind donors, who helped keep the project under budget, were also thanked for helping make turn a dream into reality.

Associate Professor Daniel Winterbottom talked about the power of gardens to heal, inspire and restore.  He noted that he hoped the collaboration between Fisher House and the UW Design/Build Program might lead to future VA projects, expanding the healing power of gardens to the larger Veteran population.    He urged the graduating students to commit themselves to the service of others.  Students Shannon Glass and Patrick McCleary also spoke about what working on the project had meant to them.

Fisher House staff, the students and board members then joined Mr. Elizalde, who cut the ribbon, dedicating the Healing Garden to all the families of Fisher House, present and future.    Guests enjoyed refreshments and explored the new garden, enjoying its peaceful beauty.

Board members, students and Fisher House staff cheer as David Elizalde, Director of VA Puget Sound Health Care System cuts the ribbon to the new Healing Garden.

May 20. 2010

Amazing Grace Students Reach Out

SEATTLE - The Seattle Times has a wonderful article about our young friends at Amazing Grace Christian School.   Read about it here.

March 11, 2010

President Obama Donates Nobel Prize Money to Charities

WASHINGTON – President Obama today announced the charities that will receive a portion of the $1.4 million award that comes with the Nobel Peace Prize.

“These organizations do extraordinary work in the United States and abroad helping students, veterans and countless others in need,” said President Obama. “I’m proud to support their work.”

A donation of $250,000 to The Fisher House Foundation was the single largest gift awarded. 

Fisher House Foundation Chairman Kenneth Fisher issued the following statement:

"We are thrilled and honored to be chosen as a recipient of President Obama's Nobel Prize award money. For 20 years, Fisher House has supported our troops and veterans by providing housing for their loved ones during their care and rehabilitation at military installations and VA medical centers around the world. It is a responsibility we take very seriously and have accepted as our duty and obligation to our servicemen and women."

"More than 130,000 families have crossed the thresholds of Fisher Houses around the world. And, with this additional financial support, we'll be able to do so much more to give back and give thanks to those who risk their lives for our freedom. Ninety-six cents of every dollar donated to Fisher House goes directly towards program costs, but 100 percent of this contribution will go directly to supporting the Fisher Houses we're building at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Dover Air Force Base. We're grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their support and generosity."