Bay Pines VA accepted a $100K donation from 84 Lumber during the lumber company’s official grand opening of a new store in Palmetto, Florida, in February.
The donation is the largest single gift for the Bay Pines Fisher House in 20 years.
“We are humbled by the generosity of 84 Lumber and honored to be selected as the recipients of the donation,” said Deputy Director Kristine Brown. “84 Lumber has been a benefactor of Fisher Houses around the country for many years, and this donation will make an immediate and lasting impact to the support and services our Fisher Houses offer to Veterans and family members on the Bay Pines campus.”
“We hope this donation will help lessen the burden so many families and loved ones of Veterans face during some of the most stressful times,” said 84 Lumber’s Vice President of Marketing Amy Smiley. “84 Lumber is a proud supporter of the Fisher House and the many services they provide our military Veterans.”
Ensuring loved ones can be with their Veteran every step of their journey
Last October, Bay Pines VA and Fisher House Foundation President David Coker dedicated the second Fisher House on the Bay Pines campus. The nearly 15,000 sq. ft. house can serve up to 5,840 families each year at full capacity with a projected savings of more than $500,000 in lodging costs for families of Veterans.
“The Fisher House is an indispensable part of our mission as we follow through on our promise to serve the whole health needs of Veterans, family members and caregivers,” added Brown. “No Veteran should have to fight alone and, through the Fisher House, we’re able to ensure that loved ones can be with their Veteran every step of their journey.”
Bay Pines VA is one of the nation’s largest 1a tertiary health care facilities that cares for Veterans across 10 counties in southwest Florida. It served more than 105,000 Veterans in 2023 across a 10-county area and employs more than 4,500 health care professionals.
Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 96 comfort homes where military and Veteran 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 they serve. There is never a lodging fee. The program has saved military and Veteran families an estimated $575 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
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