Citizens across America expressed concern when the recent shutdown of the federal government stopped death benefit payments and other needed services to the families of fallen soldiers who travel to Dover AFB to claim the bodies of their loved ones.

“There must be something we can do to show the families how much we care," said Pat Bellman during a recent board meeting of the Sussex County Republican Women’s Club. That led to a project to unite all Delawareans and others in a grassroots effort to raise money to support Fisher House for Families of the Fallen and USO Families of the Fallen at Dover AFB.

Tax-deductible contributions are being solicited until Nov. 30, and the checks will be presented to both programs in early December. “November is a time to remember and honor all who have served in the military, and a time to count our blessings,” said Gale White, president of SCRWC and an Air Force veteran. “We thank the Fisher House Foundation for stepping forward to provide the needed funds at that critical time, but Dover AFB is on our soil, and I know that Delawareans will want a chance to contribute, once they hear about this most worthwhile project.”

The Fisher House for Families of the Fallen is a unique facility equipped with nine suites to provide short-term, on-base lodging to families who travel to Dover to witness the dignified transfer of their loved ones. An adjoining building, the Meditation Pavilion, provides a quiet place for families to gather, pray and reflect during their stays at the Fisher House. Built with private donations, both structures were gifted by the Fisher House Foundation to the Air Force. Visit http://www.fisherhouse.org/houses/house-locations/delaware/fisher-house-for-families-of-the-fallen/.

The USO Families of the Fallen Support Program offers support to friends and family awaiting the return of their fallen loved ones. For more information visit www.uso.org/families-of-the-fallen-support.

A tax-deductible donation may be made to one or both of these worthy organizations. Do not combine programs on one check. Make checks payable to Fisher House Foundation Inc. and specify on the memo line "Dover AFB" or "USO Families of the Fallen."

Send donations to: SCRWC Fisher House/USO Donations, 29L Atlantic Ave., No. 126, Ocean View, DE 19970-9155.

For further information, contact White at info@scrwc.net or 302-381-8843.