ALACHUA COUNTY - It's one thing to thank a veteran.

But it's another for a community to invest thousands of dollars in building a center that serves veterans and their families.

Tuesday, community and Rotary Club members showed their appreciation for veterans with a $1 million dollar check, used to build a Fisher House at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center.

More than $46,000 of that money comes directly from the community.

Fisher Houses provide housing for families of veterans being treated at the VA Medical Center.

Supporters say this project -- which was five years in the making -- will be critical  in providing better support to veterans.

The Fisher House will be 100 percent handicap accessible.

It will have 20 bedrooms and severals common use areas.