Fisher House
When the doors of the Lexington Fisher House swing open for guests on Friday, March 24, Columbia Gas of Kentucky and other annual Veterans VA5K supporters will be among those celebrating a long-awaited dream come true.
The Fisher House, a new comfort home for the families of veterans receiving care from the Lexington Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, boasts 13,400 square feet with 16 private suites, a shared kitchen, dining and living area, laundry facilities and
Kentucky-centric artwork, all within feet of the hospital Leestown Road.
The healthcare system includes two campuses in Lexington. It provides care for some of the region’s most severely injured veterans and treatment and support services for veterans who are homeless or receiving counseling for post-traumatic stress
disorder and substance abuse. The Fisher House is expected to save veteran families $600,000 in lodging and transportation expenses and provide 5,840 lodging days each year. Families can book a stay at the facility at no charge starting in April.
For seven years, long before the first shovelful of dirt was moved, or signs of construction appeared on the grounds, VA5K organizers from Columbia Gas of Kentucky and the Lexington Department of Community Corrections have supported the new facility with
proceeds from the race. The race has grown yearly since 2015 and has split nearly $240,000 in proceeds from the race, held on the hospital grounds just before Veterans Day each year, between the Fisher House and the VA hospitals.
The NiSource Charitable Foundation and Dollars for Doers program also have provided funding for the house. NiSource is the parent company of Columbia Gas.
Susan Murray, a Columbia Gas employee who served as the VA5K race director for seven years and serves on the board of Friends of the Lexington Fisher House, said the house represents and pride and patriotism of race supporters. The race committee also
included Columbia Gas employees Risa Richardson, Kim Kammer, David Lemons and Josie Crawford.
This year’s race on Nov. 5 will be held just in front of the new facility.
“From the time we first heard of this project, our race committee, generous sponsors and loyal participants have embraced it and poured our hearts into making it happen,” Murray said. “We’re proud of the little part we had in making
this happen for veterans and their families, who are so deserving of all the love and comfort we can give.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Fisher House will be held at 10 am on Friday, March 24. Reservations are required.
For more information about the Lexington Fisher House, visit www.friendsoflexingtonfisherhouse.org/about-fisher-house/
