The panhandle of Florida is home to numerous military installations. These installations serve thousands of military personnel and possess a significant deployment commitment. Consequently, our military members are continuously placed in harm’s way and on occasion, the unthinkable happens. Fisher Houses provides a warm, compassionate home away from home where our military and their families receive caring, unconditional support and encouragement.
On 10 September 2010, Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County Florida, held a ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast for guest families. The first guests arrived at the house 17 October 2010.
Our house was one of the quickest to gain approval, reducing the normal approval time from 5 years down to 2 due to the urgent need and the tenacity of our board. Our services have expanded with the needs of the military community and volunteers are always needed; both for the Fisher House and in support of fundraising events.
In 2019, we hosted over 1,100 guests and provided 2,900 bed nights, saving military families over $290,000 in lodging. Since our opening, we have saved these families almost $2.5 million in combined expenses. Our guest stay numbers continue to grow (averaging about 84% and sometimes we are at capacity) and include those service members returning with severe medical issues. With the addition of the Invisible Wounds Clinic opening last fall, fast tracking to become an Intrepid Spirit Center in the summer, we anticipate even greater demands on our house at Eglin AFB.