Chad Kenney, store manager of Pearl River, LA featured on far left.
EIGHTY FOUR, Pa. (Nov. 7, 2019) – Continuing its mission of building complimentary lodging for the families and caregivers of military veterans undergoing treatment at local VA medical centers, The Fisher House Foundation broke ground this week on its 87th Fisher House, and its first in New Orleans, with the help from its construction partner 84 Lumber.
The 16-suite, 13,000 square-foot structure will be the first Fisher House in Louisiana, and is expected to be completed by 2020. The future New Orleans house, located on Canal Street, will allow up to 16 families to stay free of charge on any given night while their loved ones are receiving care at the VA’s Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System nearby.
In addition to representatives from the Fisher House Foundation and 84 Lumber, those participating in the Nov. 5 ground-breaking ceremony included Robert L. Wilkie, secretary of Veterans Affairs; Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation; and Fernando Rivera, the local VA medical center director.
Each of the 16-bedroom suites will be equipped with a private, handicapped-accessible bathroom. Common areas will include a spacious kitchen, large communal living, dining and family rooms, laundry room and patio.
84 Lumber recently launched a national partnership with the Fisher House Foundation to show its continued support for veterans and their families. In May, the company provided $25,000 to Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House, and announced an additional $500,000 donation for the Fisher House Foundation to continue to build new houses, similar to the one underway in New Orleans.
“It’s such an honor to support the mission of the Fisher House Foundation, as we help lessen the burden faced by so many families of veterans who want to be close to their loved ones during a terribly stressful time,” said Amy Smiley, VP of marketing at 84 Lumber. “The more houses we can help build, the more help we can bring to veterans and their families.”
Last month, 84 Lumber helped kick-off the construction of the first Fisher House being built in West Virginia (Huntington).