Featured Fundraiser - Michael Pulley

Michael Pulley

$1,335 in donations to Fisher House 

"Running marathons is a lot like life: when  you get to a difficult point, you have a choice to continue on or quit."    

Michael didn't quit any of the 4 marathons he has completed so far; he will continue on with 2 more marathons this coming weekend.  Michael, passing "the wall" in each race and running for more that 24 hours in total, will do all this to raise funds and awareness for Fisher House Foundation. 

"While running, I repeat my mantra 'All I want is a chance.' If I have that chance, good things happen."

With the help of Michael Pulley and many other dedicated supporters like him, Fisher House Foundation gives its guests the chance to . .  

• Heal their wounds in a supportive, comforting home-away-from-home
• Reconnect with their families
• Get well and strong, physically and mentally, so they are able to face all of life's challenges that lay ahead 

Featured Event - 2011 NYC Half-Marathon 

Team Fisher House at the 2011 NYC Half-Marathon

March 20, 2011  

The Dreyfus Lions have done it again!  This group of dedicated runners has set the fundraising bar high!   

Twenty-five runners headed to the start line of the 2011 NYC Half-Marathon on Sunday, March 20th, knowing that they have made a difference in the lives of American service members, veterans, and their families.  As of race day, the Dreyfus Lions had brought in more than $88,000 in donations to Fisher House Foundation.   

This running team started their support of Fisher House Foundation in 2007.  They have competed in half-marathons around the country ever since, raising funds and awareness for the Foundation. Each year, they have a special shirt designed for their runners to wear on race day.  In five years, they have brought in almost $350,000 for the Foundation through their fundraising efforts. 

Team Fisher House was able to secure race slots for them on their home turf of New York City, headquarters for Dreyfus Corporation, for the first time in 2011.  

"A hero is someone that understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom."  This is the motto of Team Allen.  Team Allen is made up of SSG Charles "Chaz" Allen, his lovely wife Jessica, and their two young daughters.  On January 22, 2011, SSG Chaz Allen was seriously injured when he stepped on an IED, losing both legs and breaking his elbow.  Despite this, the Allen family has embraced and embarked on a journey to make every day count. 

The Allens faced a dilemma - Chaz was being treated at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; their family lives in Tennessee.  Jessica wanted to be by her husband's side while he faced months of medical treatment and rehabilitation, while at the same time maintaining a sense of normalcy for their children.  The couple had worked out a plan where Jessica would travel back and forth, taking care of their girls in Tennessee for one week and then flying back to Chaz in Washington, DC for another week.  They planned to use their life savings to fund this travel until Hero Miles stepped in to help.  Hero Miles arranged for Jessica to fly back and forth to D.C. free of charge for the duration of Chaz's medical treatment.

Two weeks ago, a suite became available for the Allen family at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Fisher House.  On Sunday, Hero Miles flew Jessica and her girls to Washington, DC to be with their father for Spring Break. Monday, Chaz took his first steps on his new prosthetics.  With the help of Fisher House Foundation, Chaz's wife and daughters were there to witness this momentous event. 

As of February 2011, the Hero Miles Program has issued airline tickets for more than 22,000 family members and loved ones to the bedside of wounded service members.  Hero Miles remains in operation due to the generous donations of frequent flyer miles by the great citizens of our nation.  Booking fees are covered by the monetary donations from generous supporters.  The program grows each month as we strive to bring more families together.  

To learn more about the Hero Miles Program, visit our Webpage.  To follow the story of Team Allen, join them on Facebook as they continue to share their journey.

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