Middleton, Wis. – Construction has begun on a new Fisher House that will give families of veterans a free place to stay while their loved ones receive medical treatment at the Madison VA Hospital. The $13 million project, located just a short drive from the Middleton Costco, will be the second Fisher House in Wisconsin, joining the existing facility in Milwaukee.
Support for families of those receiving care
Fisher Houses are nonprofit homes that provide free lodging, meals and a supportive environment for families of service members who are undergoing treatment. The Middleton location will accommodate up to 16 families at a time, offering a safe, comfortable place to rest between hospital visits.
Madison’s VA is one of only three VA lung‑transplant centers in the nation, drawing patients from across the country who may need to stay for weeks or months. “It makes us very unique in the fact that we get patients from all over the country who are coming in to get their health care,” said Madison VA Public Affairs Chief Jim Bove.
Personal motivation behind the project
Steven Rose, Fisher House Wisconsin Executive Director, has a personal connection to the mission. While serving in the Air Force in 2015, Rose underwent surgery in Florida and found his family unable to afford the travel and lodging needed to be with him. “I remember really needing my family to be there and, you know, between the cost of flights and local lodging, they couldn’t pull it off,” Rose recalled. “A Fisher House could have helped me then.” He now works to ensure other veterans receive the support he once needed.
Timeline and community involvement
The new Fisher House will be about a ten‑minute drive from the Madison VA, with transportation options available for families who need assistance getting to the facility. Organizers hope to open the house by fall 2027. To date, Fisher House Wisconsin has raised roughly half of the required $13 million and is actively seeking community donations to fund the remainder.
Local businesses, civic groups and individual donors have already expressed enthusiasm for the project, seeing it as a tangible way to honor the service of veterans and strengthen the Middleton community. The house will not only ease the financial burden on families but also provide a network of volunteers and resources to help them navigate the challenges of long‑term medical care.
Why this matters to Middleton residents
Beyond the direct benefit to veterans’ families, the Fisher House represents a broader commitment to caring for those who have defended our nation’s freedoms. By supporting the construction and future operation of the house, Middleton residents can demonstrate the Christian values of compassion, service and gratitude that underpin our community.
When the doors open, the Fisher House will stand as a lasting reminder that Middleton stands with its veterans, offering a safe haven for families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
