FISHER HOUSE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.
Incorporated in 2013, Fisher House Southern California, Inc. (FHSC) is a nonprofit volunteer collaborative effort of American Gold Star Mothers, the American Legion, Long Beach Rotary members, the Fisher House Foundation and other groups, organizations and individuals committed to, and passionate about, supporting our nation’s promise and obligation to support those who have sacrificed for our country’s freedom and security. FHSC’s mission is to help military families by supporting four Fisher Houses throughout Southern California, located at major military and VA medical centers, including:
$3 Million
RAISED
to fund the construction of a new Fisher House on the VA Long Beach Healthcare System campus, which opened in October 2016.
The FHSC’s all-volunteer Board of Directors logged over 200 appearances, speaking to almost 15,000 people as part of this capital fundraising campaign.
FHSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Gary W. Hopkins, PhD Acting President
John T. Wagner Treasurer and Vice President, Fund Development
Michael M. Frazier Asst. Treasurer and Military and Family Support Services
John G. “Mike” Lipscombe Vice President, House Support
Elizabeth Lucas Secretary
Directors
William Blair Director
Pamela S. Luckey Director, House Support VA-Long Beach
Michelle Maybaum Director, Human Relations
Gregory L. Owen Director, Rotary Liaison
Valerie J. Owen Long Beach Area Liaison
James R. Paddock Director
Deborah Kay Sanchez Director, VA and Navy Hospital Liaison
Honorary
Jan Kuykendall
Emeritus
Ken Gillespie
Steve Keesal
Steve Kuykendall*
Advisory
Rear Admiral Mark Balmert, USN (Ret)
Walt C. Dannenberg, FACHE
Christopher Keane
Don Knabe
BGeneral Paul Lebidine (Ret)
* Deceased
FHSC is committed to transparency. Below please find our most recent IRS Form 990.
THE FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION
Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is receiving medical care at military and VA medical centers.
These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world. As November 2020, there are 91 Fisher Houses located on 25 military installations and 40 VA medical centers in the U.S., Germany and the United Kingdom.
With up to 21 suites, private bedrooms and baths, the houses can accommodate 16 to 42 family members.
Since the program inception in 1990, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $500 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation, providing more than 500,000 families with more than 10 million days of lodging. In 2019, more than 32,000 families were served.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members, as well as the Hotels for Heroes program that used donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.
For the 16th consecutive year, the Fisher House Foundation has received a 4-star rating (4 out of 4 possible) from Charity Navigator, and an A+ rating from Charity Watch. The Fisher House Foundation is also recognized as being one of the top three military charities in the nation, with 93 cents of each dollar raised going directly to serve military veterans and their families.