Family House Dedicates Floor to Military Veterans

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 3, 2015) – On Monday, November 2nd, the local nonprofit Family House held a special dedication to honor military veterans. The ceremony was held at Family House University Place, one of the organization’s four healthcare hospitality houses located in the Oakland-Shadyside area.

The fifth floor of Family House University Place was recently adorned with a collection of patriotic photographs donated by local photographer Cheryl Fedder. The prints include several veterans who have stayed at Family House. Most notably, a portrait was unveiled of Frank Fuhrer, Jr., who is a founder of Family House and a World War II Air Force Veteran.

Family House guests, volunteers and other influential supporters, including Board Vice Chairman Al Vallano and Mr. Fuhrer, gathered for the special event. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) was represented by Buzz Bryan and several patients from the PIRATE program (Program for Intensive Residential Aphasia Treatment & Education). Also in attendance were other veterans also staying at Family House, including a Gulf War veteran whose wife just received a life-saving kidney transplant from her son. These Family House guests traveled from all across the country to receive specialized treatment in Pittsburgh and fought in wars ranging from World War II to the Gulf War, representing all branches of the military.

Family House Executive Director Kathy Lachenauer presented Fedder’s photographs and gave a tour of one of the rooms that had been redecorated in a patriotic theme. Eight of the sixteen rooms on the fifth floor at Family House University Place have been redone with Fedder’s artwork and other décor donated by the local philanthropic group called the Need Nots and local sewing group, the Happy Hookers.

Al Vallano spoke about Family House’s partnership with the VAPHS. “Today not only honors our vets, it is a celebration of the partnership Family House has formed with the VA hospital. Veterans being treated at the VA now make up more than 13% of our guest population here at Family House. Many of our veteran guests stay right here at the University Place house and will now be able to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful artwork on this floor,” said Vallano.

Since its inception in 1983, Family House has provided affordable and convenient accommodations for patients and their families who are receiving medical treatment at Pittsburgh-area hospitals. Each year more than 15,000 families from all over the country and even the world stay at Family House’s four locations.

For more information on Family House, please visit www.familyhouse.org.