Denzel Washington spontaneously paid for a new Fisher House at Brooke Army Medical Center-Fiction! But he later came through!

Actor Denzel Washington Spontaneously Paid for the Construction of a “Fisher House” During a Visit to Brooke Army Medical CenterFiction! But He Came Through Later!

Summary of eRumor:

The eRumor describes a visit by actor Denzel Washington to “Brookes” Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
He saw the buildings known as “Fisher House,” where families of hospitalized soldiers can say for little or no charge while visiting.  He is described as having asked how much it costs to build one, pulled out his checkbook, and wrote a check for the full amount.

The Truth:


Denzel Washington did make a visit to the Brooke (not Brookes) Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas, in December, 2004.

Among other things, he participated in a ceremony awarding Purple Hearts to three soldiers and visited several others.

He also toured the Fisher House facilities there, was impressed with what they were doing, and did indicate a desire to support it.

An eRumor got started that he dramatically pulled out his checkbook on the spot and wrote a check for the cost of building an entire house, which was not true.

Fisher House says the confusion may have come when an announcement was made later in that a new $1-million facility was going to be built.

It was at the same time as a mention that Denzel Washington had pledged a donation to Fisher House.  Four months later, however, he came through “in a big way”, according to the folks at Fisher House.  They won’t disclose the amount of his gift, but Fisher House spokesman James Weiskopf says it’s one of the largest in the organization’s history and that Denzel Washington has agreed to serve on the Fisher House board of trustees.
 
Fisher House is a program that provides special housing at each of the Army’s major medical centers for the families of soldiers who are receiving medical treatment, often from being wounded on duty.  Fisher house is either a facility or a group of facilities where family members can stay for no cost or reduced cost, which helps ease the burden of possibly having made a long and expensive trip to be by the bedside of a family member and to make it possible for even low income families to be able to stay close by.

Last updated 6/8/05