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ST. LOUIS (Nov. 11, 2009) - In honor of the men and women who have served their country and the many service members currently in the military, Budweiser is donating $50,000 to Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization that builds homes that provide “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers.
The donation will be split between two Fisher House projects. Half will go toward the construction of a new Fisher House in St. Louis, at the VA Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks, which is scheduled to be completed in 2010. The other $25,000 will be allocated directly to the Fisher Houses in the state of Texas to support families impacted by last week’s Fort Hood tragedy.
Budweiser also is reaching out via its Facebook page, encouraging adult consumers to support the troops on Veterans Day by visiting www.fisherhouse.org to make a donation.
“This Veterans Day, we’re calling on the Budweiser family to join us in giving back to the men and women who protect our freedom,” said Rocky Sickmann, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Anheuser-Busch director of military sales. “The Fisher House in St. Louis will be a lasting symbol of our community’s appreciation for their service and our hearts are with the soldiers and families at Fort Hood.”
During a medical crisis, the Fisher House provides families of active and retired military personnel, and veterans, free of charge, a clean, safe, respite from the stress of worrying about loved ones. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 43 Fisher Houses located on 18 military installations and 13 VA medical centers.
The Fisher House at the St. Louis VA Medical Center will be located on the Jefferson Barracks Campus and will serve the John Cochran Division with VA Shuttle Service. Once construction is complete in 2010, the Fisher House Foundation will donate the building to the VA, which will staff and maintain the Fisher House for patients’ families.
“We are humbled by this significant donation from Anheuser-Busch,” said David A. Coker, President, Fisher House Foundation. “The Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center was selected as a site for a Fisher House because of the large number of casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan who receive their medical care from the VA in St. Louis. Anheuser-Busch has been a long standing supporter of the military, and we are most appreciative for this support which benefits families.”
Anheuser-Busch and its charitable foundation support a variety of military charities, including the USO, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Pentagon Memorial Fund, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
In 2005, Anheuser-Busch became one of the first corporate sponsors of the Department of Defense’s “America Supports You” campaign. In May 2009, General Duncan McNabb of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) presented Anheuser-Busch with the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Public Service Award for the company’s public service in support of men and women in uniform.
Earlier this year, the Department of Defense recognized Anheuser-Busch for its long history of service to the military, our nations’ veterans and the families of fallen soldiers, by presenting the company the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Public Service Award.
About Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of 43 comfort homes on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The houses are 5,000 to 16,800 square foot homes, with up to 21 suites, donated to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs by Fisher House Foundation. The Foundation provides support to families of patients receiving care at the nearby medical center and has ensured that families of service men and women wounded or injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operating Enduring Freedom do not pay for their stay at a Fisher House or other base facility if they are on a wait list. For more information on the work of Fisher House Foundation, go to www.fisherhouse.org, or call toll-free (888) 294-8560.
About Anheuser-Busch
For more than 100 years, Anheuser-Busch, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation have reached out to groups in need, contributing to community organizations across the country and touching countless individual lives. During the past decade alone, the company and its foundation have donated more than $370 million to charitable organizations, including those that support education, the environment, economic development, disaster preparedness/relief and support of those who serve our country. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com. |
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