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Comcast's Veteran Network and VA Boston unveil haven for Veteran and military families

VA Boston’s Anita Ranade, assistant director and Elizabeth St. Pierre, Fischer House manager, with Barry Bader, vice president for Comcast Business Greater Boston, and members of Comcast’s Veteran Network during a ribbon cutting for Adam’s Corner at the West Roxbury VA Campus, Mass., Nov. 7, 2023.
Photo caption: VA Boston’s Anita Ranade, assistant director, center, and Elizabeth St. Pierre, Fischer House manager, center left, with Barry Bader, vice president for Comcast Business Greater Boston, center right, and members of Comcast’s Veteran Network during a ribbon cutting for Adam’s Corner at the West Roxbury VA Campus, Mass., Nov. 7, 2023. Adam’s Corner is a donation in memory of Gold Star Mother Cynthia Garcia, a Comcast employee who lost her son on active duty. Comcast’s Veteran Network has supported Fisher Houses across the country. (VA Boston HCS photo by Deirdre Salvas)
By Deirdre Salvas, public affairs specialist

In a touching ceremony held Nov. 7, 2023, at the West Roxbury VA campus in Massachusetts, the collaborative efforts of VA Boston Healthcare System staff and Comcast’s Veteran Network culminated in the ribbon cutting and dedication of Adam's Corner.

On the day of the ceremony, an air of anticipation filled the bustling house as Veteran Network, or VetNet, staff eagerly installed new TVs, adorned shelves with books and toys, and prepared a shared meal for more than 60 Fisher House guests, dedicated staff, and the Comcast VetNet team. This collective gathering served as a poignant commemoration, underscoring the profound meaning of the Fisher House as a cherished haven for our Veteran community.

The unique initiative is not just a physical space, but a heartfelt tribute to Gold Star Mother Cynthia Garcia, a Comcast employee who tragically lost her son while on active duty. Inspired by her experience, Adam's Corner is a haven within Fisher Houses across the nation, providing solace and entertainment options for families facing the challenges of supporting their loved ones while they are undergoing medical care. The project was realized through the dedicated support of Comcast's Veteran Network, whose members volunteered to develop the program.

The genesis of Adam's Corner lies in the heart-wrenching story of Cynthia Garcia and her son, Adam, an Army combat engineer with the 10th Mountain Division. In the aftermath of Adam's grave injuries sustained in Iraq in August 2005, Cynthia, her husband Joe, and their daughter Danielle found refuge at a Fisher House in Bethesda, Maryland. The experience highlighted a gap — there was little to engage children during their stay.

Cynthia's connection with Comcast's VetNet, came years later. Motivated by her daughter Danielle's observation that there was insufficient entertainment for kids at Fisher houses, Cynthia proposed the idea of creating a dedicated space. Thus, Adam's Corner was born, initially as a 10-foot by 10-foot area stocked with toys and books, and a photograph of Adam adorning the space.

The initiative's success exceeded expectations, leading to the establishment of "Adam's Corners" in Fisher Houses nationwide. These corners, maintained by the compassionate efforts of Comcast/NBC Universal employees, are regularly refreshed with new books, puzzles, games and more, ensuring that the spaces remain vibrant and comforting for the families they serve.

The space is a testament to the resilience of a mother's love and the community's commitment to supporting those who have sacrificed for their country. The dedication ceremony at the West Roxbury VA campus marked a poignant moment, weaving together the threads of loss, remembrance and the enduring spirit of compassion that defines Adam's Corner.

"The generous donation of the Adams' Corner from our friends at Comcast VetNet really exemplifies how special the Veterans community is in supporting and caring for one another, and for the families, a mission they share with VA and with the Fisher House Program,” said Elizabeth St. Pierre, the manager for the Fisher House at VA Boston. “It was a great day for our guests and the corner will enhance their experience for many days to come."