Fisher House needs volunteers to provide meals

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Brugman
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
It is often the lowest point of someone’s life — a loved one is sick and in the hospital. 

The Travis Fisher House provides free lodging for the family members of people who are being treated at David Grant USAF Medical Center. 

Not only does the Fisher House provide shelter but volunteers from the Travis community donate dinners once a month to ensure the occupants aren’t so busy taking care of a sick relative that they forget to take care of themselves. 

More than 10 groups from across the base, including the Rising Six and Company Grade Officer’s Council, have volunteered to prepare and deliver a meal to the Fisher House one night per month. However, volunteers are needed to fill seven more nights during the month. 

“[The volunteers] prepare the meal and bring it to the Fisher House or prepare the meal here,” said Ms. Char Hall, Fisher House manager. “[They] need [to have the dinner] at the house by 6 p.m. Some people stay and have dinner with the guests.” 

The meal, prepared, feeds 10 to 12 people. 

Mrs. B.J. Hall, a retired senior master sergeant, and many other volunteers, donate a meal the first Monday of every month. Mrs. B.J. Hall has been donating a meal to the Fisher House since 1994. 

“What little we do is nothing compared to what those families go through,” said Mrs. Hall. 

“[Volunteers] like helping and they know people dealing with a medical crisis won’t prepare a meal for themselves,” Ms. Char Hall said. “They’ll heat something in the microwave. We don’t have the budget to provide them dinner. Usually, the families are dealing with a serious illness so they’re staying by the hospital as much as possible. [The dinners] help the guests take better care of themselves.” 

Mrs. B.J. Hall decided to donate dinners to the Fisher House after helping out with a similar program at a safe house for abuse victims in Washington, D.C. 

“When I got here, I thought, ‘what a great thing to continue doing,’” she said. “I’ve been in and out of the hospital a number of times. I know what it’s like. You’re not going to fix yourself something to eat.” 

The meals help people feel more comfortable during a difficult time, according to the Fisher House manager. 

“We try to make it a friendly environment for them,” Ms. Char Hall said. “The people who stay here have serious things going on and the volunteers and staff talk with them. If you have a hotel room, you go in and close your door but here it’s like being part of a family.” 

Treating strangers like family is just another Air Force tradition. 

“I’ve stayed in Air Force 26 years — and that’s family and that’s what you do,” said Mrs. B.J. Hall. “It makes me feel good to know that I’m doing something for someone who can’t do it for themselves. I would challenge every squadron on base to fill up those empty squares.” 

For more information, call the Fisher House at 423-7550.