My name is Lorraine Thomas and I'm the Development Director for the Friends of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House. The Friends have one mission: to raise funds and awareness in support of the House. We are fundamentally charged with building the community that sustains the House and makes sure that every family that stays with us is supported and cared for until their patient is discharged.
The Fisher House program is near and dear to my heart. I served as the assistant manager there for nearly five years and worked side-by-side with the staff and volunteers to make our guests feel welcomed and comfortable during their stay. I fell in love with this program, this amazing private-public partnership that defies a lot of conventional wisdom and proves what is possible when people of good will work together.
The purpose of this blog is to tell the stories of the Fisher House. It's one more way to engage you - our friends and supporters - in the mission of the House. Because what makes a Fisher House magical goes far beyond providing a free billet. Heck, if that was all we ever did it would be enough. However, at VA Puget Sound Fisher House, we interpret our mission as so much more than that. We are creating a home; a place of peace and respite where the loved ones of our Veterans and active duty forces can find support for themselves while they are supporting their patients. It's beautiful. It's noble. It's inspiring. And if you support us, you are a part of that magic formula.
Check back here regularly for new blog posts. We have a lot of wonderful stories to share with you.