July 2024
One Step Closer to Replacing MVH D.J. Jacobetti in the Upper Peninsula
Michigan Veteran Homes is one step closer to replacing MVH D.J. Jacobetti, as MVH recently signed an agreement to acquire 38+ acres of land in Marquette Township to serve as the future site of the Home. While contingencies remain, MVH is excited about this step forward, and remains stalwart in the commitment ensuring veterans of the Upper Peninsula and broader region have a skilled nursing facility worthy of those who wore the uniform of our nation.
For the most up-to-date information on the project, visit The NEW Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti.
To learn more about the recent step forward, read or listen at one of the links below:
Summer gets pretty busy at Michigan Veteran Homes, and June lived up to that expectation at MVH at Grand Rapids, providing plentiful life-enriching opportunities for MVH veterans. In early June, the Home hosted its annual Dog Show where staff, volunteers, members, and their families entered their canines to compete in the Home's show and events. While it wasn't quite the Westminster Kennel Club, we'd contend that the countless smiles it created on the faces of MVH veterans made it just as wonderful - if not more.
Mid-June saw the Home's annual fishing event, where members (with the help of our wonderful staff, volunteers, and other supporters) hooked worms and reeled in some monsters. Well, that's how the story goes anyways. The largest one got away and it just missed being photographed. Trust us though, it was a record-setter. The dog show and fishing event were just two of many opportunities throughout June that our members got to enjoy a greater quality of life, thanks to the generosity of community.
As we look forward to July, the Home is also looking forward to its Summer Celebration event on July 25th, and many more activities. At MVH, all of the life-enriching activities and events we're able to attend and/or host for our members are due to the generous support of MVH donors. From ice cream socials to pizza parties, fish frys, sporting event tickets, concerts, music on site, carnivals, arts & crafts supplies, horticulture materials, and more - it's funded by generously donated private dollars. It's one of several distinct competencies that makes life at MVH different than other nursing home settings: we're able to do more for MI veterans, thanks to the support of our communities. Learn more about giving at MVH at Michigan Veteran Homes - Make a Gift.
No luncheon could ever adequately thank the volunteers of MVH D.J. Jacobetti for their thousands upon thousands of hours dedicated to the lives of our members. Nonetheless, it's a small gesture of appreciation - sharing our gratitude for their selflessness and impact on MVH's mission.
MVH D.J. Jacobetti held its annual volunteer appreciation luncheon on June 26th at the Home, where it was able to recognize some of the many individuals who make MVH different - and better - for Jacobetti veterans. The event was - again this year - a success, in at least trying to thank those who selflessly serve our veterans. Words don't do justice to such generosity, though we're grateful regardless. In addition to the volunteers, staff, members, and families, representatives from the Executive Office of the Governor, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Gary Peters, and U.S. Representative Jack Bergman's office we're also in attendance to express their thanks for our volunteers' generosity. It takes a village to serve those who've served us.
They host bingo, play music, and hold and comfort wrinkled hands. They attend activities, grill food, and champion our cause in the community. They do so much more. Most of all, our volunteers make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of our veterans, when our veterans need it most. Thank you, volunteers of MVH D.J. Jacobetti. We're grateful for all you do. To learn more about volunteering at MVH D.J. Jacobetti, or our other Homes, visit Michigan Veteran Homes - Volunteering.
It's golf. And lunch. And some prizes. But the lasting impact of the MVH D.J. Jacobetti Charity Golf Outing is much more than 18 rounds and some fun. Each year the event brings together supporters of the Jacobetti with proceeds benefitting the Home's Charitable Support Fund (CSF). The CSF, separate from operational funds, receives all donated funds not specifically directed for the benefit and use of the State, and CSF dollars are expended upon approval of the Board to benefit members of the Home. All the life-enriching experiences, tickets, music, comedy, ice cream socials, cookouts, sporting event tickets, and other quality-of-life enhancing experiences are funded by community generosity, through donations to the CSF or donations in-kind.
This year's Jacobetti Golf Outing - the 27th Annual - brought together north of 140 golfers for 18 holes, a hearty meal, and plentiful generosity toward MVH's mission and members. Ryan Engle, with MVH, stated, "Supporting veterans isn't just a Jacobetti duty. It's not just a VA duty, or a Marquette County duty. Ensuring our veterans have the quality of life they deserve is a societal responsibility - a duty of each one of us - and this golf outing is one small effort toward fulfilling that duty to those that wore the uniform. We're incredibly grateful for the many supporters of MVH D.J. Jacobetti and its members. it takes a village, and the U.P. community - again - showed up to support our veterans."
Read more about the Jacobetti Golf Outing at DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans hosts annual Charity Golf Outing.
In early June, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed June 2 - 8, 2024, as State Veterans Homes Recognition Week in Michigan. This was, to our knowledge, the first time in the 138-year history of operating State Veterans Homes (SVHs) in Michigan that SVHs ever received such recognition. Michigan has been proudly serving veterans in its SVHs since 1886 in Grand Rapids, 1981 in Marquette, and 2021 in Chesterfield Township, caring for veterans from the Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the Global War on Terrorism, and from other times of peace and conflict in between.
The proclamation serves not as a slap on the back and "good job", but instead a calling of attention to the important mission of Michigan Veteran Homes, and the commitment we all have to those men and women who've served us.
Regarding the proclamation, Ryan Engle, MVH's Director of Development & Strategic Engagement, said, "They were at Gettysburg and Appomattox; Flanders Fields and Belleau Wood; They were at Normandy, Midway, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, la Drang, and Khe Sanh. They were at so many other places - some you've heard, and some places you haven't. Our veterans have gone where our nation has sent them, to endure violence and hardship on our behalf. And now, when they're frail, often needing a wheelchair, and care, Michigan Veteran Homes is there for them. This proclamation by Governor Whitmer recognizes Michigan's commitment to those who've worn the cloth of our nation. They were there for us, and the Great Lakes State is there for them today, and we'll be there for them tomorrow."
Read the proclamation at June 2-8, 2024: State Veterans Homes Recognition Week (michigan.gov).
Read more about SVH Recognition Week at Gov. Whitmer Proclaims June 2-8 as State Veterans Homes Recognition Week (michigan.gov).
 Join Bikers in Giving Back at MVH at Chesterfield Twp
On July 21st, bikers are invited to join a benefit ride and rally that supports MVH at Chesterfield Township. The annual event, sponsored by American Legion Riders Post 4, is back again this year, with registration beginning at 11am, the ride kicking off at 12pm, and ending back at MVH at Chesterfield Township for food, music, camaraderie, and fun. If you're interested in being part of the rally to benefit MVH veterans, please contact Mike Tances at 586-201-5597.
Bikes. Food. Music. Friends. Supporting Michigan Veterans. We can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday. Thanks American Legion Riders Post 4 for all you do!
There are plentiful ways to impact the lives of those men and women who've nobly stood to serve our nation. At MVH, we refer often to the 5 T's of philanthropy, as each "T" provides a method to positively impact the life of a veteran in later-in-life and end-of-life care. Whether its volunteering, monetary donations or working with one of the Homes on a specific material donation, putting your talents like music or otherwise to work for MVH veterans, connecting your relationships to MVH's mission, or sharing the impact we're having on veterans' lives out in the community, there are many ways to make a difference in those who've worn the cloth of our nation.
Pictured above is American Legion McDonald-Osmer Post 451, presenting a check to MVH at Grand Rapids from proceeds of their poppy sales. Out of many ways to give, one.
Learn more about MVH and making an impact at https://www.michigan.gov/mvh.
Donations to Michigan Veteran Homes are tax-deductible under 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Michigan Veteran Homes are making a difference in the lives of Michigan veterans and their loved ones. Join us.
Want to learn more about participating in the representative democracy our veterans stood to protect? Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
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