Rockville, MD (PRWEB) October 31, 2016
When Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation, recently heard on the news that one of our military charities had to cut its grants to military children due to lack of funding, he said, “we want to be part of the solution. We want to help.” So, that’s just what the Foundation did by presenting Our Military Kids with a check for $250,000, and challenged Americans across the country to step up and help, too.
Our Military Kids’ mission is straightforward: support children of National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as children of active, wounded and fallen warriors, by paying fees associated with athletic, fine arts and tutoring programs. Perhaps the most famous recipient of one of their grants was Gabby Douglas, Gold Medal Olympic gymnast.
Since April 2005, the organization has delivered more than 54,000 grants totaling $22 million. In 2014, all of its federal funding was cut, forcing it to rely on private donors.
This support comes at a critical time when several studies conducted since 9/11 have found that children whose parents are deployed experienced greater emotional or behavioral difficulties than their civilian counterparts. This also applies to children whose military parents are severely injured. However, other studies have concluded that adolescents who were active, especially in sports, had lower stress levels.
“Our Military Kids does incredible work to support military families when they need it most,” said Fisher. “We feel that supporting them is a natural extension of our mission at Fisher House, and believe that we have to work together to wrap our arms around military families – especially young people – in times of need. We both understand that not only the service member serves, but the entire family sacrifices.”
According to Linda Davidson, executive director of Our Military Kids, “As a society, we’re finally recognizing that our military sent into harm’s way are not one-dimensional war machines – they’re sons and daughters, fathers and mothers. If we’re serious about supporting our troops, then we must support their families when they can’t.”
Fisher House Foundation is dedicated to making inroads in aiding our wounded, ill and injured service members and their families, but there’s another huge part of the equation – supporting their families once they come home. That’s where Our Military Kids comes in – they understand the challenges children of deployed and injured service men and women face. By funding programs for these children, we help build resilience, empowering them to get through the tough times and prepare for future success.
“We’re so grateful to Fisher House,” said Davidson. “Not only does their donation come at a time when our funds are not keeping pace with the need, but their generous act signals a door opening to better collaboration among military support organizations.”
“Taking care of our military, veterans and their families is everyone’s responsibility,” said Fisher. “I challenge Americans everywhere to reach into your hearts and pockets and help Our Military Kids sustain the wonderful support they have given military children since 2004—these children deserve this and so much more.”
About Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.