Volunteers renovate Fisher House

By Patricia Deal

CRDAMC Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas—Volunteers from the Home Depot in Killeen created a serenity garden in front of the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center’s Fisher House here June 1 as the final phase of an almost $15,000 home improvement project donated by Home Depot.

“Our goal is to give back to the community, especially to help Soldiers and their families. The Fisher House could certainly benefit from our services and we’re happy to help,” said Pam Mashburn, Team Depot captain. “The store donated supplies, and all the labor was done by volunteers—employees who come to help on their day off. We have no shortage of volunteers, as the majority of our employees are active-duty Soldiers or veterans. The core values of Home Depot are pretty much the same as the Army’s. We are all about helping others in need.”

Over the last six months, Team Depot stretched their budget so they could do as much as possible for the Fisher House, inside and out. Volunteers painted all the rooms, laid carpet and tile and added finishing touches such as new blinds. Two years ago volunteers built  a pergola over the patio. This year they put a shed up for more storage space. Other improvements included landscaping the property and building a serenity garden and birdbath complete with colorful flowers and plants.

“I have no problem giving up my days off to help on these projects. Any time you can spend helping others is time well-spent, I think. This is my way of saying thanks for all that you do,” said Debie Parsons, an Army veteran who has been in this area for seven years. She has volunteered often for community outreach programs throughout her tenure with Home Depot.

Isaac Howard, manager of the Fisher House, said he is appreciative of everything the Home Depot does for the Fisher House.

“We rely heavily on donations so we deeply value the contribution and the hard work done by the Home Depot team. Families staying at the Fisher House are going through a sensitive and emotional time, so anything we can do to make their environment more pleasing and inviting helps improve their spirit,” Howard said. “I’m proud to know that we have such good friends at the Home Depot who want to help support the Fisher House families.”

The 57 Fisher Houses in the United States and Germany offer shelter and support for military members and their families during a medical crisis. Since 1990, Fisher Houses have saved families more than $192 million in lodging and transportations costs.

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Landscaping improvements to the CRDAMC Fisher House included the addition of a scenic birdbath. Landscaping was one of many home improvement tasks completed as part of an almost $15,000 home improvement project donated by Home Depot. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

Pam Mashburn, Team Depot captain discusses plans with Melvin Fair, Jr., Fisher House associate, for the serenity garden she and other volunteers built as part of an almost $15,000 home improvement project donated by Home Depot. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

Visitors to the CRDAMC Fisher House can enjoy the patio with its new pergola, thanks to an almost $15,000 home improvement project donated by Home Depot. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

Rooms at the CRDAMC Fisher House got a fresh look as part of an almost $15,000 home improvement project donated by Home Depot. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

The new serenity garden in the front of the CRDAMC Fisher House offers visitors a peaceful and inviting spot to relax. The serenity garden was part of an almost $15,000 home improvement project donated by Home Depot. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)