Community Donation

As directed by the VRA Board in 2006, 5% of the revenue from the preceding year’s annual program (Collaborations) is donated to an organization involved in the support of individuals with disabilities or in crisis. The 2007 donation again went to the Fisher House Foundation at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. As described in the Foundation’s web site, www.FisherHouse.org, “The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

There is at least one Fisher House™ at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House™ program serves more than 10,000 families, and have made available more than 2.5 million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990.”

The Fisher Foundation relies on donations to continue its important work, and 100% of a donation designated for a specific house is allocated to that purpose. This donation will be used for supplies to keep guests’ costs to a minimum at the Fisher House in Portsmouth. VRA is pleased to support this service to the Commonwealth’s veterans and their families.