After serving 20 years in the Air Force as a F-16 and F-35 pilots, Todd and his family relocated to Niceville. Since retirement, he has continued his commitment to service, joining Boeing as a Customer Engagement Lead at Eglin Air Force Base. Mr. Lafortune was introduced to the Fisher House early in his career, and has remained committed to our mission. He now joins our Board of Directors, and brings experience and passion for supporting our military community.
Originally from the United Kingdom, now living in Navarre, Angela brings her many years of management, finance, marketing and military support to our team. Angela led several organizations, coordinating thousands of volunteer hours which produced over $200K in donations to local charities. Fun Fact: Angela returns to our board. In our early years, she was responsible for our marketing and PR efforts before the Fisher House on Eglin was built. We are thrilled to have her join us again!
Join Us at the 36th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival!
Get ready for a deliciously good time at the 36th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival! This iconic event, supported this year by Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a must-attend for food lovers and festival-goers alike, featuring the best gumbo on the Emerald Coast and a fantastic atmosphere. Information and tickets to attend may be found here.
We’re looking for volunteers to help make this event a success! Whether you’re assisting with check-in, serving samples, or keeping the fun going, your support makes a huge impact.
Looking for a sweet way to make a difference? Join us for Cookies & Kindness, held on the first Wednesday of every month!
Here’s how you can help:
👩🍳 Bake Cookies: Bring your favorite homemade treats and help us fill the house with the comforting smell of fresh-baked cookies.
🎁 Drop Off Goodies: Don’t have time to bake? Store-bought treats are welcome, too!
🤝 Spread the Love: Every cookie brings comfort and joy to the families staying at Fisher House.
Whether you’re baking from scratch or grabbing a box of your favorite cookies, your kindness will make a big difference. Let’s sweeten the day for our military families, one cookie at a time! 🍪💕
This National Croissant Day, we’re asking you to do more than enjoy a flaky, buttery treat. Join us in giving back to the families of our military heroes by volunteering to provide meals for those staying at Fisher House Foundation– a place that offers comfort and support to families of veterans and active-duty service members.
🍴 How You Can Help:
Volunteer to Provide Meals – From breakfast to dinner, your contribution can make a big difference. You can even bring croissants (freshly baked or store-bought!) to brighten someone’s day and give them a taste of comfort. Host a Meal Drive – Gather friends, family, or coworkers to cook together and provide a home-cooked meal, complete with delicious croissants! Donate Food or Ingredients – If cooking isn’t your thing, you can donate food or ingredients so others can prepare meals for the families.
Why Volunteer?
Support Military Families: Families at Fisher House are facing challenging times. A warm meal, especially a batch of fresh, flaky croissants, can bring comfort and ease to their day.
Make a Lasting Impact: Your time and generosity provide relief and emotional support to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
How to Get Involved:
Sign up to volunteer with Fisher House and help provide meals, including delicious croissants!
Spread the Word: Share your experience on social media with #FisherHouseMeals and encourage others to join you in this meaningful cause.
Bring the Joy of Croissants: Whether homemade or from your favorite bakery, share the warmth of freshly baked croissants with those in need.
A meal from the heart goes a long way.
👉Volunteer Today! Help Feed Our Heroes’ Families, One Croissant at a Time.
Join us for Doc’s Annual Gumbo Cook Off on February 1st, from 1-4 PM, hosted at Doc’s Oyster Bar & Grill! This exciting event features mouthwatering gumbo tastings, live music from Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe, and thrilling raffles.
All proceeds directly support Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, helping military families in their time of need. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day of food, music, and community for a great cause!
Today, we’re celebrating one of the best snack foods out there — popcorn! But as we enjoy this crispy treat, let’s take a moment to think about the incredible military families we support through Fisher House Foundation.
Just as popcorn brings people together for a good time, Fisher House brings families together when they need it most — providing a “home away from home” for families of veterans and active-duty service members receiving medical care at military and VA hospitals. 💙🏠
This National Popcorn Day, you can help us continue supporting these amazing families by donating, volunteering, or simply sharing this post. Every bit helps! 🌟
Enjoy a snack, make a difference, and share the love with our veterans and their families. 💪🇺🇸
A family stayed with us in November after their active-duty son was killed in an automobile accident. Sadness abounds as we walk through humanity and our staff were there for them, along with other guests staying there, also for physical healing. Each interaction offers the opportunity to be a light, or borrow someone else’s. Ken Fisher, CEO of the Fisher House Foundation says it best, and I paraphrase, “we build the structure, the real magic happens when people connect over a meal prepared in the kitchen.” Within these walls, people seeking hope and compassion can make a blessing or receive one. This mom posted in the journal in her room over her week stay. Reading it in its entirety will make you weep for someone you don’t know and whom you will never meet. But can relate to her sadness in your own way. Be a light, make a difference. One person at a time.
“After withdrawing care and saying goodbye to my son in ICU, I returned to the Fisher House and was wrapped in the biggest hugs and held as I wept. Kindness and compassion are the biggest gifts offered here.Staff and other guests make this place wonderful. Leaving is bitter sweet.” God Bless and Keep You
The long-running event attracts wine aficionados, celebrity chefs, and restaurateurs to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for four days of all things food and wine. This year’s Sandestin Wine Festival will take place from April 10 – 13. 400 happy, helpful volunteers are needed to staff this multi day event and receive a FREE t-shirt and taster ticket. A portion of the proceeds benefit our Fisher House on Eglin in a BIG way. Find out more here.
Last year’s event raised $50,000 – the most in our history. WOW!
As I approach my second term as President of the Board of Directors, I am honored to continue leading the organization into the new year. Having retired with the United States Air Force, being a part of this mission that blesses military and veteran families feels like a continuation of that service. My employer, Serco, shares my enthusiasm and whole-heartedly believes in what we do. When I joined the board in 2016, my family and I were able to see the difference being made quietly behind the scenes and the dedication and commitment of the board. We have been blessed with outstanding business leaders since our inception in 2007 and our volunteer board remains strong today because of the foundation they put in place.
We have developed a roadmap for a whole-house refresh and will begin implementing some of the most critical improvements and replacements early in 2025. We welcome you to be a part of this exciting opportunity as the 5-star home enters its 15th year of service to military and veteran families. Each year, we care for approximately a thousand guests who may stay a few days, weeks, or even months. With your help, these families receive a world-class welcome and their stay can be as much like home as possible. There are many ways to show gratitude to our military members and I encourage you to help through volunteerism, attending our events, providing meals or baked goodies, or through financial donations for our house. What says comfort better than a meal made with love and ready when they return home from a day at the hospital? My spouse Amy and my children have provided home cooked meals in the What’s for Dinner program and as parents, we also understand how important it is to teach future generations the importance of service beyond self and giving back.
Many great things are coming our way thanks to the generosity of this community who love our military families like we do. We have formally established a NextGen program to engage future leaders by their service on an advisory committee at the board level.I am also pleased to share our “Home Is Where The Heart Is, Helping Heroes Gala” is scheduled for August 28, 2025, returning back to the Henderson Resort, a venue we all love that is so welcoming to our fans and friends. This event is a sure sell out and we want you to be one of the 320 people in the room who get to experience an inspirational message firsthand.
On behalf of all the members of our board, and the many families you will be helping, we extend our genuine thanks and appreciation. We are very grateful!
After serving 20 years in the Air Force as a F-16 and F-35 pilots, Todd and his family relocated to Niceville. Since retirement, he has continued his commitment to service, joining Boeing as a Customer Engagement Lead at Eglin Air Force Base. Mr. Lafortune was introduced to the Fisher House early in his career, and has remained committed to our mission. He now joins our Board of Directors, and brings experience and passion for supporting our military community.
Originally from the United Kingdom, now living in Navarre, Angela brings her many years of management, finance, marketing and military support to our team. Angela led several organizations, coordinating thousands of volunteer hours which produced over $200K in donations to local charities. Fun Fact: Angela returns to our board. In our early years, she was responsible for our marketing and PR efforts before the Fisher House on Eglin was built. We are thrilled to have her join us again!
