FindUsOnFacebook

Friends of Fisher House - Illinois

Helping Military Families During Medical Crises Because A Family's Love Is Good Medicine

Friends of
Fisher House - Illinois

Helping Military Families During Medical Crises Because A Family's Love Is Good Medicine

Donate

Military Families Express Heartfelt Appreciation

I’m overwhelmed by the impeccable service…this has been one of the most beautiful experiences under the circumstances for my Dad’s medical problems…grateful doesn’t cover how I feel and blessed.

 

This our first time at the Fisher House—how amazing it is! ...thank you for providing comfort when we’re feeling most uncertain of what our future holds…after long days at the hospital it’s so nice to find fellowship upon return “home.”

 

Back again..so nice to know the Fisher House and staff are here for us. Especially when there is so much unknown in the future of my husband’s health…you provide for us at a time when we are dealing with issues that sometimes overwhelm us.

 

The staff didn’t act like staff. They treated us like family. I thought it would be like living in barracks. Wow, was I wrong! I’m grateful to Fisher House..found a new charity that is near and dear to my heart.

 

This stay helped so much! God blessed me by allowing us to stay in the Fisher House which gives peace in this timed of need.

 

After being here 32 days, we are going home…Fisher House is a lifesaver..what a beautiful place! Thankful for everyone who touched our lives.

Military Families Hosted

Project Donor

Funding for this project was provided by the Veterans Cash Scratch-off Lottery Grant from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Cash

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
833 South Spring Street
P.O. Box 19432
Springfield, IL 62794-9432
Phone: 217-782-6641
www2.illinois.gov/veterans

 

In Memory of Ken Armstrong

2011 Snow Ball Gala Benefit Raises Almost $10,000 For FOFH-IL Support of Hines VA Fisher House

Friend and musician George Mutert organizes evening of live music, endless pizzas where friends, relatives of Ken Armstrong – early supporter of the fund-raising campaign to construct Hines VA Fisher House—gather to reminisce

“We welcome and are grateful for fundraising efforts like the Snow Ball benefit organized by generous supporter George Mutert at the Park Ridge Inn December 2011. These funds go directly to help pay for operations, maintenance, groceries, supplies so families can stay completely free of charge,” says Friends of Fisher House-Illinois (FOFH-IL) President Betty Stamatis.

DSCN2989Sincerest Thanks to George Mutert from (l-r) Holly Wright, Hines VA Fisher House Manager; and Betty Stamatis, FOFH-IL President for the $10,000 Contribution Raised by His Snow Ball Benefit In Memory of Ken Armstrong. Stamatis presented a FOFH-IL Certificate of Appreciation to Mutert for his amazing effort.

Photography Courtesy
of Harry Theodore

“We thank, not only Mr. Mutert and his band, but also all of the attendees who generously donated to the FOFH-IL mission in memory of Ken Armstrong,” Stamatis adds.

The Fisher House humanitarian program recognizes the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service. This program fills a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. That is why Friends of Fisher House-Illinois was formed as a volunteer, non-profit to assist Hines VA with their financial budget for Hines VA Fisher House.


From 2005 to 2008, a local grass roots campaign by Fisher Houses for Illinois was coordinated by current FOFH-IL President Betty Stamatis for DMS Pharmaceutical Group. This drive raised sufficient funds to be matched by Fisher House Foundation for construction of a  $5.7-million-dollar, 20-private bedroom-suite Fisher House now on the grounds of Hines VA Hospital.

According to Stamatis, "We were finding the task of raising over a million dollars rather daunting until a shot in the arm and assistance arrived in the person of the very enthusiastic Ken Armstrong. He especially liked to distribute Defending Your Freedom camouflage bracelets for donations. Some of you may remember these wristbands imprinted with “Defending Freedom” and “Pray for Our Troops." He managed to successfully spread awareness of our mission this way. I believe he single handedly wiped out our supplies!

"Ken generously provided his business and personal mailing contacts for solicitation letters we composed together and mailed. Ken, in his usual disarming style followed up on the mailings. I suspect he did a little arm-twisting to bring in donations. Pretty soon, Ken had his entire family helping out at the annual benefits."

"We are deeply gratified by the generous Chicago community response to the critical need to build a Fisher House in Illinois.” We count Ken Armstrong as foremost on our list of the construction fundraising phase supporters. He with his partner Kim Ericson gave sizeable monetary contributions to the cause. We will always be grateful for their generosity."

Stamatis concludes, "People like Ken Armstrong, his friend George Mutert and the public are the frontline and pivotal to raising funds to ensure veterans and military families can stay at the Hines VA Fisher House free of charge, no matter how long.  We also need to help these cash-strapped families by providing as many of their needs as possible during their stays."