European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 10, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday april 102007 stars and stripes pages we just wrap our arms around the families and give them what they need when they Are away from their Normal network of support Kathy Gregory manager of the Lan Stuhl Fisher houses Steve and stripes sgt Fredy zoque right relaxes with his sons and wife at one of two Fisher houses at Lan Stuhl Region Al medical Center zoque broke his left ankle in ramada Iraq the Fisher House offers families a Home like setting and a Chance to be close to their loved one receiving medical treatment offering a Home away from Home Lan Stuhl Fisher houses give families by Steve Mraz stars and stripes Lan Stuhl Germany theres no place like Home but the Fisher House comes pretty close for families of wounded troops while their husbands wives sons daughters dads or moms receive treat ment in nearby Lan Stuhl regional medi Cal Center family members can stay at one of two Fisher houses on Post within walk ing distance to the Hospital thanks to the generosity of donors families at any of the 37 Fisher houses world wide Are no longer charged a nominal nightly fee the foundation began picking up the fees on oct 12006 the Fisher House foundation currently is paying the a night normally charged said Kathy Gregory manager of the land Stuhl Fisher houses we dont know How Long if s going to last she said we figure this year fy07 the Fisher houses at Lan Stuhl opened in 2001 and 2002 have Nineteen rooms with a included the houses each with a Kitchen dining room Laun dry room living area and internet connect de computers have been a temporary Home for almost 5000 families we just wrap our arms around the families who come under stressful situations and some of the More Normal situations that life presents and give them what they need when they Are away from their nor Mal network of support Gregory said recently the Lan Stuhl houses have received More than in donations particularly from canadians and churchgoers from More than 50 chapels on Garri sons across Europe the Lan Stuhl houses have an annual donation goal of two donations of each came from folks in Canada and Canadian forces on the ground several Canadian families have stayed at the houses particularly last year when the country military suffered casualties in Afghanistan a place to stay last july the the installation manage ment Agency Europe presented the land Stuhl Fisher houses with a Check for the Cash was raised during two months of designated giving imae chaplains organized the zoque family recently spent a few nights at one of the Lan Stuhl houses and benefited from such generosity sgt Fredy zoque a Bradley fighting vehicle Mechanic with the company b 1st battalion 26th infantry regiment out of Schweinfurt Germany recently suffered a broken ankle while serving in ramada Iraq his wife Unice and three sons trav eled from Schweinfurt to be with their father and husband for the first time in seven months Unice zoque used the Kitchen to prepare mexican Chicken Spanish Rice and mexican fruit salad if s More like Home and when you have a big family like we do you want Comfort for the children she said they have everything if s convenient and if s also a re Lief if s one less thing to worry about email Steve Mraz at annual adoption symposium set by Kent Harris stars and stripes experts from Europe and the states will gather May 12 in Kaiserslautern Germany to present information on International adoption the 15th european adoption symposium an annual event in the Kaiserslautern military Community will be a Daylong affair at the Church of Jesus Christ of lat Ter Day saints Church it is open to Ameri can military id cardholders stationed around Europe Jeanie Veith an organizer said dozens of couples attend the event each year if there looking for information on How to adopt or raising the children Treyve already adopted if s the one place in Europe where All the experts come in at the same time Veith said this years event is to Start at 8 am and run until evening those attending May choose from a variety of seminars and talk with representatives from several adoption agencies and social workers Veith said a final schedule is pending and will be posted on the associations web site  before the seminar it will list speakers and specific topics they will cover it also will have directions on How to find the Church and other details no Advance registration is required except for child care which May be completed online for the first time parents will be asked for a donation of 5 euros or to help cover costs organizers also ask that participants do Nate a similar amount of Money a cold lunch with beverages is provided the event is presented by Kmic adoption support and the 435th air base wings Chapel outreach program email Kent Harris at Charlie and stripes in this 2004 photo Mare lie Morgan left of Ramstein Germany plays with Syrena Kathleen who she adopted in 2003 after gathering information at the european adoption symposium of starts Campai to Benefit its own by Geoff Ziezulewicz stars and stripes the military by and Large is known to look out for its own the air Force is putting that kinship into practice through May 4 As the 34th annual air Force assistance fund Campaign gets under Way the campaigns focus is to ensure Active duty Reserve guard and retired air Force members have help when life throws them Nasty curve balls each installation has its own six week fundraising period All proceeds from the air forces stated goal of Mil lion will go to four charitable organizations helping air Force members past and present it could lie some of us in your own of fice someone youre directly helping said 2nd it Christopher Moore who is overseeing the Effort forthe 352nd operations support Squadron at Raf Milden Hall England if s that kind of immedi ate gratification the Campaign is raising Money for four air Force related charities the air Force Aid society the official Charity of the service provides world wide emergency assistance to airmen and their families while also sponsor ing educational assistance programs and Community enhancement Initia Tives according to its web site founded in 1967 the air Force enlisted Village has helped provide housing and other resources for widows and wid Owers of air Force personnel a lifetime of duty station moves and the other Rig ors of military life can leave some spouses without options later in life and the various housing villages provide a comfortable respite tied into the enlisted Village is the air Force Village which offers retirement options for honorable separated officers from any uniformed service age 62 or older the facility gives priority to re tired air Force officer widows and wid Owers in need of financial assistance finally donations to the Campaign will support the general and mrs cur tis e Lemay foundation which pro Vides financial assistance to widows and widowers of retired air Force person Nel the organizations Are involved in Vari Ous aspects of the lives of airmen from family readiness Center programs to child care for those moving to their next duty station said capt Scott major the campaigns coordinator for the 494th fighter Squadron at Raf Lakenheath in England All those programs we see out there everyday there funded by us a Tiv duty he said ifs important to keep those going airmen can make a onetime Cash or Check donation major said they can also set up an automatic checking account debit or space donations out Over 12 months none of the donated funding gets tied up in administrative costs Moore said ifs Nice to know your moneys going directly to help someone and not paying me salary of someone who working there he said airmen can Contact their unit project officer for information on the Campaign email Geoff Ziezulewicz at