The Fisher House received a $300,000 grant from the Don & Lorraine Freeberg Foundation on July 24. This is now the largest check to be presented to the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Fisher House.
According to the Don & Lorraine Freeberg Foundation Facebook page, they are a “nonprofit foundation supporting organizations focusing on education, healthcare, children, and veterans,” which is why the Orlando Fisher House struck their interest. This was their first visit to a Fisher House.
The Orlando Fisher House manager, Terri Turner, says they will be handing the funds off to the National Fisher House Foundation to share the donation with the other eight houses that are currently under construction in the country. The grant was solicited by the former Fisher House president, Greg Smith.
Here is a brief interview with the Don & Lorraine Freeberg Foundation :
Nonahood News: What drew you to donate to the Fisher House?
Freeberg Foundation: We were aware of the reputation of the Fisher House Foundation and the houses they make available for family members of patients at military and VA medical centers. Like Zachary Fisher, our family has been involved in the construction business. The Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation provides grants to organizations in specific geographic areas, and when we heard of the new house in Orlando, we were interested in whether we could assist them.
NHN: What was your first impression of the Fisher House?
FF: Fisher House Orlando is a beautiful facility that feels like home and not a hotel. Our board members that visited were especially impressed with it being inside the security gates and across the street from the Orlando VA Medical Center.
NHN: Why are children and veteran organizations top on your list to donate to?
FF: Children and veterans are both populations that are important in our society. Don Freeberg was an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Navy in the 1940s. Specifically regarding veterans, the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation supports organizations benefiting America’s current and former Armed Forces members because those individuals give so much of themselves to protect our freedoms and safety.
