LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 27, 2015)— The Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA) is pleased to announce that the local fundraising efforts for Nevada’s first Fisher House have been have been completed. The organization had originally intended to reach its $3 million dollar fund raising goal needed to start construction on the $6 million dollar construction project by spring of 2016. However, due to overwhelming community support, the NMSA and the Fisher House Foundation broke ground on the project this morning at 10 a.m. at 6900 North Pecos Road on the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System campus in North Las Vegas. More than 250 were in attendance to celebrate this significant step forward in services to our states service members and veterans.
“This is a significant occasion, and the Nevada Military Support Alliance is proud to have lead the way. It is a true complement to the Southern Nevada community and because of their generosity, we were able to reach the local goal of $3.0 million dollars in a remarkably short period of time,” said Perry Di Loreto, Chairman of the Nevada Military Support Alliance.
Major contributors to the fundraising effort included The Engelstad Foundation, MGM Resorts International, The Heather and Jim Murren Foundation, Bigelow Aerospace, The Nevada Military Support Alliance, NV Energy, Nevada State Bank, Paragon Gaming, Wells Fargo and Barrick Mining.
“Nevada continues to demonstrate our commitment to becoming the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation. I applaud the Nevada Military Support Alliance and the Fisher House Foundation for supporting this commitment and for providing the families of our service men and woman and veterans with this much needed facility,” said Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval.
The Veterans Administration and the Fisher House Foundation approved the construction of Nevada’s first Fisher House on the site of the new VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System campus in North Las Vegas (I-215 and North Pecos). The land had been set aside for construction of the Fisher House, which will be walking distance to the VA Medical complex.
Until now, Nevada was the only state with major military facilities and bases without a Fisher House. The Fisher House Foundation was established in 1990 to serve military families of wounded warriors with free lodging during medical care and rehabilitation.
“One of the great strengths of a Fisher House is the opportunity for a community to come together and embrace the families of our ill, injured, and wounded service members and Veterans. Because of the Nevada Military Support Alliance and their commitment, this community has stepped forward not just to help build the first Fisher House in the state of Nevada, but to honor the service and sacrifice of these brave men and women in a tangible way,” said, Mary B. Considine, Chief of Staff of the Fisher House Foundation.
In addition to this morning’s groundbreaking, the Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA) will host the 3rd Annual NMSA Las Vegas gala this Saturday, March 28th, at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Conference Center. Proceeds from the event will continue to benefit the construction of Nevada’s first Fisher House.
Those attending the Gala will enjoy a hosted cocktail hour, a three-course meal and hear from special guest speaker, General Richard B. Myers, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Air Force (Ret.). The NMSA is expecting more than 600 attendees at Saturday’s event.
To learn more about, or make a donation to the NMSA, visit nvmilitarysupport.org.
or contact Dan Morgan at 775-530-6500.
About the Nevada Military Support Alliance
Created as the Nevada Patriot Fund in 2003 as a statewide 501(c)3 organization to support survivors of Nevada troops killed in combat, it became the Nevada Military Support Alliance in 2010 after the NMSA Board determined that there was a need to assist wounded Nevadans as well.
The mission of the Nevada Military Support Alliance is to organize and promote the recognition and support of Nevada’s Men and Women of our Armed Forces, Veterans and their Families.
Following the Fisher House contribution, The NMSA has distributed more than $4.2M to the immediate families of those Nevada military members lost overseas in wartime (57 lost warriors in all) and to those military members catastrophically injured overseas over the last 10 years. These distributions include direct financial support, donations toward adaptive homes, and numerous grants to military families.
The NMSA Board of Directors is passionate about the services they provide to military families and view supporters’ donations as trusted gifts – since its inception, The Nevada
Military Support Alliance has distributed more than 92 cents of every dollar raised in support of military members and their families.
About the Fisher House
Established in 1990, the Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.
These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $235 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
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