COLUMBIA, S.C. — There's a new place in Columbia that provides veterans and military families a place to stay when their loved ones are sick at no cost at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Regional Office. The home is for families and caregivers of Veterans and Service members receiving treatment at major military and VA medical facilities.
The 15,000-square-foot Fisher House will help make life easier for those families facing their most challenging battles.
“We’re in celebration mode,” Fisher House Foundation President David Coker said.
The state-of-the-art facility is the first in Columbia and the second in the state.
“Fisher House strives to be that home away from home, you know, we know life happens, and when it does, you get that call you learn a loved one is sick or injured, you want two things - the best health care and you need a place to stay,” Coker said.
The Fisher House is where the veteran or military family members can stay for no cost while their loved ones are receiving medical care, a place people like Pat Sherrod-Elliot have stayed at while her son Shawn was sick.
She is hopeful this will be a place of support for those who stay here.
“It’s truly a blessing to the military families because when your family member is ill, all you want to do is help them get better,” Sherrod-Elliott said.
The brightly decorated facility has a spacious kitchen, communal living, dining, and family rooms, as well as a shared patio with 16 suites to serve those who walk in the door.
While it may be a challenging time for those when they arrive, Coker says being with those in similar situations under one roof can make things easier. “The amazing thing is the support network that happens," Coker said. "You see somebody who may be a week further in their treatment and it gives you hope, a sense of stability and makes you stronger for the challenges of the day."
The first family is expected to move in on May 1st, and the Fisher House Foundation reports this new house will save a veteran family up to $500,000 annually.