The Armed Forces Financial Network (AFFN), along with on-base financial institutions on JBSA-Lackland, presented 80 “Thank You” gift cards valued at $50 each to the JBSA-Lackland Fisher House and the South Texas VA Fisher House. The cards are intended to be distributed to military personnel and their families staying at the houses as they receive treatment at a local hospital. These annual gift cards presented by AFFN are a small “Thank You” for the service and sacrifice made by the men and women in our military and their families.
AFFN, in partnership with the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) and the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), has proudly supported the Fisher House Foundation and individual Fisher Houses in Germany and the United States for the last 14 years through the community support program. It has provided over $3,297,800.00 in direct support during that period. Every dollar distributed has assisted military service members, veterans and their families for care, comfort, and food while staying at a Fisher House.
Air Force Federal Credit Union (AFFCU) representatives made the presentation of the gift cards, which totaled $4,000.00, to Dwayne Hopkins (JBSA-Lackland Fisher House Executive Director) and Erik Zielinski (Manager South Texas VA Fisher House) on behalf of the financial institutions on JBSA-Lackland AFB.
“We are humbled by the generosity from each on-base institution and AFFN,” Dwayne Hopkins said. “Each year we receive these cards after a year-long effort to raise money for us and we sincerely appreciate it. We cannot thank their staff and board members enough for their dedicated support.”
The “Thank You” cards can be used at any of the 1.3 million locations worldwide accepting AFFN payments including Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). The cards function the same as Debit or ATM cards, and will be distributed to military personnel by Fisher House management.
Since 2005, 16,080 military families staying at Fisher Houses worldwide have received $804,000.00 in DeCA Certichecks (2005, 2006) and AFFN Thank You Cards (2007-2018) from AFFN military community support programs.
“Each of these gift cards, no matter how small the gesture, go a long way to providing some form of comfort to the residents staying at the Fisher House,” Erik Zeilinski said. “We are so very thankful that AFFN and local financial institutions such as AFFCU have provided that support over the years.”
Dwayne Hopkins, Executive Director Fisher House, Danny Sanchez, VP Marketing, AFFCU and Brian Posten, Business Development Officer, AFFCU.
Danny Sanchez, VP Marketing, AFFCU and Erik Zeilinski, Manager South Texas VA Fisher House.