FISHER HOUSE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.
Incorporated in 2013, Fisher House Southern California, Inc. is a nonprofit all 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 anxious to support 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:
VA Long Beach Medical Center
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton
Naval Medical Center San Diego
$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
Steven T. Kuykendall President/CEO
Terry L. Geiling American Gold Star Mothers Liaison
Kenneth S. Gillespie Treasurer/CFO
Beverly Bingham Secretary
Nancy Soltes Assistant Secretary
Gary W. Hopkins, PhD Vice President
Steven M. Keesal Director
Adriana Lanting Director
John G. “Mike” Lipscombe American Legion Liaison
Liz Lucas Long Beach Rotary Liaison
Pam Luckey Real Estate Community Liaison
Gregory L. Owen Long Beach Rotary Liaison
Valerie J. Owen Long Beach Area Liaison
Steven Spriggs Veteran Organizations Liaison
John Wagner Director
FHSC is committed to transparency. Below please find our most recent IRS Form 990.
THE FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION
For more than 25 years, the Fisher House program has provided “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. These homes offer free, temporary lodging to military and veterans’ families, allowing them to be close to their loved one during a medical crisis and focus on what’s important—the healing process. As of February 2017, there are 71 Fisher Houses located in the US, Germany and United Kingdom.
These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $360 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
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 using 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.
The Fisher House Foundation has received an “A+” grade from Charity Watch and Four Stars (out of Four) from Charity Navigator. The Fisher House Foundation is also recognized as being one of the top 3 military charities in the Nation with special recognition given to their less than 5% cost of administration.