For this year’s donation drive, CARSTAR partnered with local country music station, U.S. 99 to promote the drive, which began during the November Military Month. Donation bins were placed in all the participating shops along with a Fisher House Wish List. Cash donations exceeding $2,000 were raised along with 12 bins of food and much needed supplies.
“The Hines Fisher House does so much every day for our veterans and their families,” said Louie Santiago, marketing specialist for the CARSTAR Chicagoland Business Group. “It’s an honor for us to be able to help out every chance we get.”
Recognition goes out to CARSTAR West-Hill, who refurbished a fully operational 1930's General Electric Refrigerator, which was raffled off to raise $1,400 for the Fisher House. The refrigerator was given a Chicago Blackhawks theme. The majority of raffle tickets were sold at the CARSTAR West-Hill Christmas Party.
Special thanks also go out to the following locations:
- Julie Maslanka – CARSTAR HY-TECH – Elgin, IL
- Jim and Rob Irmen – CARSTAR Ideal – Arlington Heights, IL
- Stan Craven and Bambi Craven – CARSTAR 38TH STREET – Chicago, IL
- Max and Joanne Schulze – CARSTAR A-Carr’s – Chicago, IL
- Lou and Tony Scola – CARSTAR Scola's – Brookfield, IL
- Eric Schmit and staff – CARSTAR Friendly – Roselle, IL
- Teresa Kostick and Staff – CARSTAR All Line – Bolingbrook, IL
- Brian Gore – CARSTAR North Aurora – North Aurora, IL
- Marian Rodriguez – CARSTAR Mundelein – Mundelein, IL
- Adam Espositio, Joe Esposito, Mark Esposito and Staff – CARSTAR West-Hill, Hillside, IL
Hines Fisher House opened its doors on March 1, 2010 and has provided accommodations to over 3,000 guests. A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for family members, caregivers or loved ones of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. It is a temporary residence and is not a treatment facility, hospice or counseling center. By law, there is no charge for any family to stay at a Fisher House operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.