July 2025
At MVH, we're still reeling from an amazing walk, run, and roll at MVH at Chesterfield Township. Nearly 200 veterans, staff, volunteers, friends, and community members joined together on a Saturday morning in June to celebrate service, embrace community, spend time with our veterans, and to get a little exercise with the options of a 1/2-Mile Remembrance Walk/Roll, as well as a 5k Walk/Run/Roll. The morning concluded with a hot dog lunch, and smiles were plentiful throughout the entire morning. Our friends at the Agape Project once again showed up in force to ensure our veterans could be pushed the duration of the race in chariots by generous (and fit!) volunteers.
The fourth annual event was a great success, and we're grateful to the many individuals and organizations that made it happen. Specifically, all of our sponsors, volunteers, and donors. Events like this don't just 'happen,' and it takes generous people - and we're fortunate to have them supporting our veterans. All said, the event raised thousands of smiles and approximately $25,000 to support our members. Thanks to all who made it a success.
Check out photos from the event on our Flickr page.
We're proud to share that each of our veteran homes in Grand Rapids, Marquette (Jacobetti), and Chesterfield Twp. were recently recognized as 2025 recipients of the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for their commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. This distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program - a rigorous three-level process reviewed and evaluated by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards for organizational excellence.
“At Michigan Veteran Homes, we’re privileged to serve the men and women that have stood to serve and protect each of us,” said Anne Zerbe, executive director and CEO of MVH. “Our veterans have bravely answered our nation’s call to duty in both times of peace and in times of conflict, and when they need long-term care, they deserve nothing less than the absolute best. At MVH, we strive to deliver that exceptional care and quality of life every single day. Our participation in this National Quality Award program and receipt of this award at each of our Homes reflects our ongoing commitment to our veterans: a commitment to excellence. I’m proud of our team and I’m grateful for their hard work and the support of our communities in serving our veterans at MVH.”
You can read more about the quality award program and see the full list of award recipients on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website.
History matters. Indeed, that's where legacies are built. We're honored that earlier in June, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed June 1-7 as State Veterans Homes Recognition Week here in Michigan. The proclamation reflects on our Homes' legacy of caring for those who've worn the uniform throughout the generations. When Michigan's first State Veterans Home opened in Grand Rapids - on the same piece of property where we deliver care today - they were caring for veterans of the Mexican War and Civil War, and we've been doing it ever since. It took almost another century, and the Jacobetti opened in Marquette, in 1981. Then, forty years later, we were proud to open our first home in southeast Michigan: MVH at Chesterfield Township.
We're grateful for the opportunity to continue the legacy of care to veterans at Michigan Veteran Homes. Check out the proclamation, at the link below.
On Saturday June 14th, veterans, families, friends, community members, and other supporters convened in the rear parking lot of MVH D.J. Jacobetti for the Home's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. The event created camaraderie, community, and raised funds for the Jacobetti's Charitable Support Fund, supporting quality of life programming for Jacobetti members. Indeed, the work we're blessed to do at the Jake, and this event, it's about the members. "It's paying back all of those who really stepped up, and answered the call," said Jacobetti Administrator, Ron Oja.
We're grateful for the many supporters of our mission, and our members at MVH D.J. Jacobetti. We do more for veterans, thanks to our community of supporters.
The privilege and responsibility we have in impacting veteran lives at MVH isn't lost on us. It's something we're incredibly proud of. In addition to impacting the lives of veterans, however, we also get the opportunity to impact the lives, skills, and experiences of the next generation of healthcare professionals - something we're also incredibly proud of. MVH at Grand Rapids recently received the letter below, from a student at Grand Rapids Community College, pursuing her training and career as an LPN (Names are omitted). As such things inspire us, we wanted to share it with you, too.
"Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve the members here at MVH as part of my leadership experience. All the staff, and especially my preceptor, were so welcoming and eager to share their knowledge. I feel prepared to enter the work force as a newly Licensed Practical Nurse.
I first came to the Veterans Home years ago while my grandfather was here receiving care. My grandmother created bonds with the staff and could take comfort and relief in no longer having to be the primary caregiver after years of coping with my grandfather's Alzheimer's progression. I am proud to have been able to give some care back in the same place that my family received care.
I have enclosed a photograph of my grandfather during his time in Korea as a Marine (pictured). In spite of it being taken in the midst of war, it is a lighthearted scene. My grandfather is performing the banjo with his band and mischievously poking fun at the other military branches. But it also reminds us that each member is a lifetime of human experiences. It is in this recognition that we can find connection with others. Fred Rogers said, 'the connections we make in the course of a life, maybe that's what heaven is.' So again, thank you for a heavenly time."
We're grateful for the opportunity to train and mentor the next generation. With and alongside young people like this, the future is bright for veteran care.
At Michigan Veteran Homes, each of our unique homes celebrate their selfless volunteers in unique ways. In June, MVH D.J. Jacobetti hosted their annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon: a small gesture of gratitude for the immense impact Jacobetti volunteers have on the lives of our members. Smiles were created, gratitude was shared, and selfless service was celebrated amongst all in attendance.
"Our volunteers really turn Jacobetti into the Home that it is," said MVH D.J. Jacobetti Administrator, Ron Oja. "Our volunteers provide the extra hands and hearts that our members depend on. Something as simple as a 1:1 visit, or playing a card game may seem insignificant to you or I, but it can mean the world to our members."
In addition to staff, members, and families, our Board Vice Chair Brad Slagle was able to join to celebrate our volunteers, as well as representatives from the offices of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Gary Peters, and state legislators from across the Upper Peninsula. To all of our volunteers at the Jacobetti, and at each of our Homes: Thank you for all you do for our veterans!
It's been said that the 5 T's of philanthropy are time, talents, treasures, ties, and testimony. At MVH, we strive to take our community's love and support of our veterans and it put it to work to benefit those men and women who've served us - whatever that love and support looks like!
For example, were blessed recently in Grand Rapids to be the fortunate recipient for the generosity of one young philanthropist - Amzie - who hosted a lemonade stand over Memorial Day weekend and raised $500 for the Home's Charitable Support Fund.
We've all got something to give for the love and wellbeing of others. Maybe it's time, through volunteerism. Maybe it's donations, monetary or otherwise. Maybe it's putting one's unique talents to work for the benefit of others. Maybe it's connecting relationships you have to work and missions of social good that you believe in. Maybe it's sharing the message in your networks and your community of good work being done at an organization. Whatever you have - one or more of the 5 T's - we encourage you to put it to work. MVH is one of many organizations serving those who've served us, and we encourage you to find ways to meaningfully give back to those men and women who've worn the cloth and shouldered the burden of these United States. To all of our generous supporters, including our friend Amzie:
THANK YOU!
Caring for veterans is a societal responsibility. We're always grateful to share that work with our friends, supporters, and the broader community. Indeed, the last several weeks have provided us a number of 'newsworthy' opportunities to share our work through the media. MVH is in the news! In case you missed it, you can check out some of it below:
- Jacobetti Groundbreaking
- Chesterfield Walk, Run, Roll
- Grand Rapids Flag Placement
- Jacobetti Pancake Breakfast
- Other News
Summer creates increased outdoor activities for our veterans, and increased opportunities for community members and organizations to engage with our mission. In mid-June, a dozen or so volunteers convened on MVH at Grand Rapids' cemetery to retrieve and store the 5,000+ flags placed at the final resting places of veterans from the Mexican War, Civil War, and every time of conflict and peace since. They'll be placed again, next year, on the Wednesday before Memorial Day. You can check out some of our past and upcoming community/public-facing events on our webpage.
We celebrated a lot in June. We took time to recognize our women veterans, on Women Veterans Recognition Day. We also celebrated Juneteenth, recognizing that freedom hasn't always been distributed equally to all Americans, and all veterans. Indeed, when many veterans at MVH today were born, the U.S. military was still segregated by race. We're honored to have a number of African American veterans that fought for the Union during the Civil War interred in our cemetery. Read one perspective on Juneteenth, here: Juneteenth both inspires and illustrates the impact of service | George W. Bush Presidential Center.
As we reflect on Juneteenth, we also look ahead to the 4th of July. These dates are incredibly noteworthy for the history of our people, and our nation. At MVH, we hope your June was wonderful, and that your July will be even better. Furthermore, we hope you take time to reflect on the incredible sacrifices veterans across the globe have made on your behalf - on all of our behalf - because they believed these United States, for all its flaws, is something worth fighting for. Have a great month.
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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