Since its official opening earlier this year in February and taking its first guest in April, the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Fisher House has received $30,000 in grants. Universal Orlando Foundation donated $25,000, and Lockheed Martin gave $5,000.

Maureen Karkovice is the secretary to Friends of Fisher House Orlando, (FOFHO, a non-profit community group that supports the Orlando VA). She is the one responsible for bringing in the donations. “This spurs me on and motivates me to become a grant-writing queen,” states Karkovice.

Her son was working in guest communications at Universal Orlando and sent an email reaching out to them in regards to qualifying for their contribution. Universal could give between $1,000 to $25,000. Karkovice reached out to the Fisher House manager, Terri Turner, and asked how much money a typical 16-suite Fisher House consumed in a month. Turner got back to her with a figure of about $3,000 per month. In response, Karkovice requested Universal for their full amount, and she was gifted just that. The grant will be for a year, fueling the Fisher House with a little more than $2,000 a month.  

The funds can be used for any needs the Fisher House guests might have. For example, a guest might need a gas card, or if they have a baby with them, they don’t have to worry about spending money on diapers or formula. Keeping the house’s food supply full will also be in check.

Karkovice intends to build on the relationship with Universal as she is grateful for their donation. The Fisher House will be growing in the time to come as more patients are taken into the Orlando VA. The objective for FOFHO is to make each guest feel at home and to provide them with a stress-free environment to stay in as the veteran they are associated with receives care in the VA.

To be able to fill these shoes for the Fisher House means the world to Karkovice. She herself was a guest at a Fisher House when her son was in need of care. Giving back in this manner is more than she could ask for. “Having been a guest at a Fisher House, it is very emotional for me because somebody else somewhere did that for me and my family,” she says.

To help find out how one can help the Fisher House, email friendsoffisherhouseorlando@gmail.com or call 407-476-3796.