The thing about healthcare is that, as complex as it is, or maybe because of how complex it is, there are many important factors that can be overlooked. Patients in need of moral support will have to find lodging for their families. This costs money… lots of money. On top of everything else that a family in this situation has to deal with, the last thing they’ll want to do is face the logistical and financial nightmare of finding a place to stay nearby a hospital for a loved one. Thanks to the Fisher House Foundation, many members of the military community no longer have to.

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What Does the Fisher House Foundation Do?

Featuring as many as 21 suites located at military and VA medical centers, the Fisher House Foundation provides lodging assistance to those traveling to be near a loved one receiving treatment. All of the suites come with private bathrooms, while other rooms, such as kitchens, laundry facilities, and living rooms, are shared among the other families staying at the time. The best thing about all of this is that these services are available for free. This means that instead of dealing with an expensive burden, among the many other things families are going through, they're given the opportunity to rest and coordinate their support for the ones who need it the most.

Hotels for Heroes, Hero Miles, and Other Support Programs

In addition to the housing services provided by Fisher House Foundation Inc., the organization also offers the

Hero Miles program

. Here, donated frequent flyer miles are provided to family members so that the expensive cost of traveling can be reduced. Family members can use the miles to get to the bedside of loved ones, and in addition to this program, the

Hotels for Heroes program

uses donated hotel points so that family members can stay at hotels near medical centers for free in a similar capacity. As if this wasn’t enough, children and spouses in the community can also receive educational assistance through its grant program. The grant provides charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses, and children of fallen and disabled Veterans to offset rising educational costs. The Fisher House VA collaboration is clear. All Fisher Houses are owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in association with the hospital they're connected to. A Fisher House will offer between 7 and 21 suites featuring accommodations for as many as 16 to 42 family members. Newer houses are 100% wheelchair accessible with the inclusion of elevators.

Are Donations to Fisher House Foundation Tax Deductible?

The Fisher House Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that your donation is tax-deductible. To understand more about your state's disclosure requirements or to contact the organization, be sure to click the link. A Fisher House Foundation donation isn’t just a great way to lower your tax bill; the money helps our heroes recover and their families be there for them every step of the way.

Where To Find Them

Fisher House Foundation locations are found throughout the U.S., and there's even a location in the United Kingdom. The organization is continuing to push toward 100 locations to help better serve the military community. However, it’s clear to see that no matter where you're receiving healthcare, there's likely a location near you. Keep up with the growing number of current houses online and find out if there's a home near you or your loved one's place of treatment.

Is Fisher House a Good Charity?

Achieving a score of 94 out of 100 on Charity Navigator, when you give to the Fisher House Charity, you’re giving to a top-rated, trustworthy charity that spends the money it gets on the cause it proclaims. Any procedure that requires travel and/or staying overnight is going to bring some sort of anxiety for that family. Being there for each other is a powerful and important part of the process for everyone. The Fisher House Foundation continues to help families within the military community overcome the issues they might otherwise face to be there for loved ones. This way, it’s just one less thing for them to stress over as everyone focuses on a full recovery.

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