November 2023

Find YOUR Way to Honor Veterans this November 11th

At MVH, we have the privilege of honoring our veterans every day. Nonetheless, every November brings us - and our nation at large - the special opportunity on 11/11 to pay respects to those who've worn the uniform. How one observes Veterans Day can look very different for different people, and MVH encourages you to find your way to honor those who've served. We offer some suggestions to consider, too:

• Read up on the history of Veterans Day.
• Attend a ceremony or event in a community near you.
• (Re)Connect with a/the veterans in your life.
• Volunteer, keeping the spirit of service to others alive and well.
• Donate toward a cause you care about.

However you observe Veterans Day and honor those who've served, find time to reflect on the many sacrifices veterans have made in service to our way of life. It's been said that a nation who fails to serve and support those who've stood to defend it, will soon find none left willing to stand and defend it. 

MVH wishes all veterans and their family members a Happy Veterans Day.

Care, Compassion, and Quality of Life at MVH at Chesterfield Twp

Michigan opened its first Veterans Home in Grand Rapids in 1886, and 135 years later opened the doors to a Veterans Home in southeast Michigan: MVH at Chesterfield Township (MVHCT), in Macomb County. 

The 128-bed skilled nursing home for veterans and their loved ones amasses 152,000 square feet, and sits on a beautiful 30-acre site, with each room having a private bed and bath. The infrastructure and environment is, indeed, amazing, but it's more than brick and mortar. "It's the people we have here - the veterans we serve, and the caring and compassionate staff and volunteers - they're what make MVHCT truly special," said Administrator Jennifer Manning.

MVHCT is a 5-star nursing facility, providing excellent care and quality of life. The home relies on private donations to fund life enriching experiences and opportunities that enhance the well-being of the members who make it their home. If you or your organization have interest in supporting MVH at Chesterfield Township's Charitable Support Fund, or giving in other ways, reach out to MVHCT. MVHCT is changing veterans' lives, by making them better.

Join MVH at Grand Rapids for the Veterans Day 5 

The 4th annual Veterans Day 5 will start and finish at MVH at Grand Rapids on November 11th, offering timed 5-mile and 5k runs, along with a no-charge and untimed .5-mile Remembrance Walk - all honoring those who've worn the uniform of our nation. 

The event is a unique way to observe and honor Veterans Day, with all proceeds going to the Michigan Veteran Homes' Charitable Support Fund (CSF) which funds life enriching experiences for members of the Home. Also included is a pancake breakfast for runners held immediately after the race; Afterall, one should refill the carbs after burning them, no?

Walk/Run as a veteran. Walk/Run in honor of a veteran. Walk/Run because you believe that those who've stood to serve are individuals worth celebrating and supporting.  Register here.

If running/walking isn't for you, there are plentiful ways to get involved and support the race, the mission, and honoring those who've served. Consider volunteer opportunities on race day, or supporting the event through sponsorship.

Whatever the weather brings on 11/11, the spirit of community, patriotism, and service will be strong in West Michigan. Join us in honoring those who've served.

MVH is incredibly grateful to the event's sponsors listed on the website, Grand Rapids Event Management for their dedication to planning and executing this event, as well as our friends at Zero Day for acting as fiduciary. It takes a village to successfully serve those who've served us.  

Opportunities Abound for Careers with MVH

Michigan Veteran Homes proudly provides excellent care and quality of life to veterans and their loved ones, and that care and quality of life is directly attributable to the incredible people we have providing the direct care and supportive services: MVH employees. To borrow and modify a quote, "Some people spend a lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. MVH employees don't have that problem."

With locations in Grand Rapids, Marquette, and Chesterfield Township, MVH has current and/or periodic opportunities for positions like nursing assistant, LPN, RN, dietitian, social worker, activities aide, maintenance mechanic, and more. Find your next career with Michigan Veteran Homes, here. 

If you're seeking meaningful work with passionate people, serving men and women who've served us and need late-in-life care, consider checking out opportunities with MVH. Other than working with and for remarkable people, there's some other pretty good benefits too.

Indeed, there may be no better time than now to find your next career or opportunity, and the purpose you've been looking for. From holding a veteran's hand at bedside in the final hours, to sharing and creating smiles at bingo, to planting flowers together, and more, we're changing veterans' lives for the better. Consider joining us in that special work of providing care and quality of life to Michigan veterans and their loved ones They deserve it, and our employees have some fun providing it, too. 

Lives Enriched at MVH D.J. Jacobetti

Michigan has been caring for veterans at MVH D.J. Jacobetti in Marquette for more than four decades, and continues to enrich the lives of the members that make "the Jake" their home every day. October was no different. For example, the Home was fortunate to have Honor Credit Union stop by this month with pumpkins to paint, bingo prizes, and more.

The Home also celebrated "Plaidurday" - a holiday started by a Yooper - whereby members, staff, and volunteers donned their favorite U.P. flannels. Check out pictures here. Not bad, eh? The Vallier family stopped in as well this month to cook pasties with members, establishing a new annual tradition that will likely occur for many years to come.

"These events and opportunities that put smiles on our veterans' faces happen because of generous people in our community," said Sarah Johnson, Volunteer & Donations Coordinator at MVHDJJ. "We do more at Jacobetti, because of our dedicated volunteers and donors: individuals and organizations that believe our veteran members are worth supporting, and that our organization is a good steward of their generosity. We take that trust and investment in our work and members seriously, and are incredibly appreciative of the support."

Learn more about supporting MVH D.J. Jacobetti, here.

Days of Service, to Those Who've Served Our Nation

A benefit to Michigan Veteran Homes - and the veterans we serve - is the outpouring of support and service from individuals and organizations from the communities we serve.  MVH is a regular recipient of "days of service" throughout the seasons, and fall has been no different.

Amongst many other hours and groups volunteering, the MI Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity's (LEO) Veteran Employee Resource Group coordinated a day of service at MVHGR's cemetery, helping beautify the grounds and cleaning headstones. Also joining the day of service was Grand Rapids Fire Station #5, Lest We Forget-Benton Harbor Chapter, Cub Scout Pack #3283, and others. In the north country, Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College spent a morning preparing the grounds of MVH D.J. Jacobetti for winter. 

Collaboration, compassion, and committed citizens are regular sights at Michigan Veteran Homes. Consider joining them with your time, talents, or treasures. It takes a village to serve those who've served us.