Cathy Cabrey and Stacy Toner started out with Fisher House in 2006 as volunteers with no prior fundraising or event-planning experience.  By asking a lot of questions, attending webinars and utilizing the ideas and suggestions of team members, and with a lot of support from the Foundation, Team Fisher House has become the program it is today.
As the program grows each year and by always remembering their humble beginnings, they make sure every fundraiser and every donation made through the program, regardless of size, is truly appreciated.
This grassroots fundraising concept allow these two military spouses, who live unpredictable lives in ever-changing locations, to give Foundation supporters the tools and resources they need to raise funds and awareness for an amazing organization.
These two very dedicated individuals have a wonderful website which makes it very easy to volunteer, have a fundraiser or help an individual Fisher House or the Foundation nationally.
Visit their website to get involved in any way you wish. www.teamfisherhouse.org

The aim of all groups here at the Warrior Games is to comfort those who have put their lives in harm’s way to protect our liberties and freedom. There are so many ways to help these Wounded Warriors, but far and away the most important way is by thanking and comforting. Coming back stateside to a lifestyle which at first is vastly different, it is so important to make the transition as smooth as possible. Counseling services are imperative to aid in the short and long term recovery. The pressures of coming back to a mountain of bills and housing concerns, are addressed by many nonprofits. Just helping to work through the morass of paperwork and keeping abreast of all the programs available to these Heroes is a godsend. The need is great in so many ways and any expertise you may have in helping those who have helped us, without asking for anything in return would be a huge act of kindness. Visit www.va.gov for volunteer opportunities.

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates “comfort homes,” built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times – during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.
There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 17,000 families, and have made available nearly 3 million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. By law, there is no charge for any family to stay at a Fisher House operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and Fisher House Foundation uses donations to reimburse the individual Fisher Houses operated by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. No family pays to stay at any Fisher House!
***The information above was provided by The Fisher House website.
www.fisherhouse.org

Donaldson Elementary teacher Kathie Shotts asked if I would help with an ongoing school project helping her students to learn about the different cultures and events around the United States through the travels of Cactus Jack and Flat Stanley. I decided to take Jack and Stanley to watch a basketball game between Heroes from the Air Force And the Special Ops. I worked some magic to get these two intrepid travelers court side seats.
Watching this basketball game I was reminded of the deep respect and honor these heroes have for country. The camaraderie between these two military teams was great fun to witness as they often times cheered for each other. It was great sport.

US Olympic Athlete Liaison, Sherry Von Riesen played an integral part in my visit to the Warrior Games at the Air Force Academy today. Her work with Wounded Warriors and Paralympians has a big tie to these Warrior Games. This event has outgrown the Olympic Training facility and now takes place at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. I pulled into the main gate of the Academy with The Kindness Bus with a very curious group of guards who waved me through to the Field House.
Today’s events were cycling, basketball and volleyball. These Hero athletes are so incredible. I thought I was in great shape from riding The Kindness Bicycle for the past year, that is until I saw the speed and power these men and women have. Attending this first day of competition made me proud of our great country.
What a great connection in so many ways.

On the way to the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, I rode past a very moving memorial to Firefighters.
I thought, if you could speak some words of comfort to one of the first responders at Ground Zero, what would those words be?
You still can, and every Firefighter would love to hear them.

In a short amount of time, I was fortunate to get a lot done in Taos today. All of my stops were within a few miles of each other allowing me extra time for my ride north to Colorado Springs.
I first visited the Taos Police Station and found a very friendly, Lieutenant David Maggio who was very interested in the route of The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. He was also very interested in getting the message of this ride to the community.
I arrived at the Firehouse to find the Firefighters getting ready to take possession of a new piece of equipment which they had had me stand in front of for today’s picture. What a fun group of guys. Robert, one of the Firefighters and I used Bogart to help catch a stray dog.
I visited Taos High School’s Principal and Guidance Counselor’s office. There was a big interest in the students wanting to know all about the people I meet on my travels and what it’s like to ride cross country.
Cody, a reporter at The Taos News, was thrilled to have such a fun topic to write about.