An ongoing contributor to the Fisher House Foundation, Dr. Peter Killcommons volunteers with numerous international charities and nonprofit organizations.
The Fisher House program began in 1990, when Pauline Trost first contacted the Fisher family about temporary housing for soldiers’ families at military medical facilities. This led the Fishers to develop the first Fisher Houses, which serve as “comfort homes” for family members of military personnel and veterans at military hospitals. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush inaugurated the first Fisher House in Bethesda, Maryland, paving the way for several new houses over the next year. The Fisher Foundation was established in 1993 to promote the Fisher House program in both the public and private sectors. The initiative has expanded exponentially, with every major United States military medical center now offering families accommodation in a Fisher House. Each Fisher House serves as a gift to the United States government, with the military agencies and Department of Veterans Affairs assuming responsibility for maintenance and operational oversight.
More than 11,000 families benefit from the work of the Fisher House program every year. Donations and contributions help to support the facilities so that families can stay at Fisher houses at no charge. While house managers work full-time, the program depends on volunteers to carry out daily tasks. Fisher Houses range from 5,000 to 16,000 square feet and accommodate 16 to 42 guests, with full laundry facilities, computer access, a community kitchen, library, and other amenities. In addition to providing funding for Fisher Houses, the Fisher House Foundation supports the Hero Miles Program, Scholarships for Military Children, and the Newman’s Own Award.
Peter Killcommons 