December 2025
While we get to honor and celebrate veterans every day, Veterans Day every year just humbles our entire organization with the opportunities we have to join together with so many to honor our veterans - and all veterans who wore the uniform.
So much goodness occurred at each of our Homes this Veterans Day. MVH at Chesterfield Twp. had students come sing, along with live music, a party, a deejay, games, and more. MVH at Grand Rapids had brunch and bingo, a dessert bar, mini horses, and more. MVH D.J. Jacobetti hosted their annual and well-attended ceremony, along with live music, fruit and veggie trays, and more. We're blessed for the seemingly endless support we have for the mission and veterans of MVH. We couldn't provide the experience we do, without our many supporters. Thank you to each of the individuals and organizations who partnered with us this year to - again - make Veterans Day special for our veterans.
Every December, hundreds of community members convene on the MVH at Grand Rapids campus to lay thousands of wreaths on the final resting places of those who've served our nation. While MVH is proud and grateful to act as the event site host, the event is coordinated by Ottawa-North Kent Blue Star Mothers and funded by the many individuals and community organizations that purchase the wreaths at the link below, with proceeds going back to local nonprofit organizations.
You can join community members and organizations alongside Michigan Veteran Homes for the 2025 Wreaths Across America event on Dec. 13, 2025 at 12pm at MVH at Grand Rapids.
Earlier this year, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks (IA) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH) introduced the bipartisan 'Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act' in an effort to address the burden exorbitantly high-cost medications have on veterans and State Veterans Homes. The bill - if it became law - would require the VA to reimburse State Veterans Homes for high-cost medications, or to furnish those high-cost medications to the State Veterans Home. Across the nation, State Veterans Homes and their budgets are being squeezed by extremely high-cost medications that aren't always covered by the VA. In private nursing homes that have contracts with the VA, these same medications are typically covered - just not in State Veterans Homes. This is resulting in cases across the country where higher service-connected disabled veterans with high-cost medications are being denied admission to State Veterans Homes due to this unfortunate loophole in the reimbursement model, limiting these veterans' long-term care access and options.
To date, the legislation is supported by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), National Assoc. of State Veterans Homes, and the National Assoc. of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. It has 37 cosponsors, including Michigan Congressional Representatives Jack Bergman, Rashida Tlaib, Hillary Scholten, Tom Barrett, and Lisa McClain.
It was another wonderful 'Veterans Day 5' at MVH at Grand Rapids in November. On Nov. 8th, hundreds of community members joined MVH veterans for the event, which included a .5-Mile Remembrance Walk, a 5k, and a 5-miler. The highlight every year seems to be our friends at myTeam Triumph West Michigan Chapter pushing MVH veterans for the duration of the 5k in their 'chariots.' After some great exercise and memories made, the morning concluded with a scrumptious pancakeg breakfast sponsored by our friends at SpartanNash.
We wish to thank our event sponsors - Gentex Corporation, SpartanNash, Republic Services, Zero Day, and myTeam Triumph - along with the many friends, veterans, family members, and community supporters and organizations that came out to celebrate service and support our veterans. It was a great Saturday.
As we near the closure of 2025, we're reflecting back on a year of making a difference in the lives of veterans. We're proud of the care and quality of life we're delivering - and we're doing it in partnership with our community of supporters, donors, and volunteers.
Looking back, here's some of 2025 in review:
While we're closing the door on 2025 and looking forward to the holiday season, we're excited about what 2026 will bring for our veterans. The best is yet to come.
At Michigan Veteran Homes, we do more for our veterans and their loved ones, thanks to the generosity of our many supporters. All monetary gifts to Michigan Veteran Homes are deposited into each respective Home's Charitable Support Fund (CSF). The CSF - kept separate from operational funds - is expended upon approval of our Board of Directors, benefitting the lives of our veterans. From community outings to shopping trips, to concert tickets, ice cream socials, comedians, musicians, and more - it's generous private giving that allows us to go above and beyond for those who raised their right hand, swearing to protect our nation - and each one of us.
If you're considering giving this holiday season, consider giving to MVH's Charitable Support Fund. Donations may be made online, or via mail.
We're doing more for veterans in later in life and end of life care, thanks to those who support us. Please contact us at DMVA-MVHgiving@michigan.gov with questions.
Changing Veterans Lives - Giving at MVH
As we head into the holidays, we want to express our gratitude to our many supporters, and wish each of you a happy holiday season. The holidays provide a time of reflection backward, and a simultaneous anticipation of what awaits in the year ahead. We - surely like you, too - have had our rough patches this year, and our shining moments. We've had ups, and downs. Looking forward, we know there will be setbacks, as well as amazing days, too. Whatever the days entail, we're grateful for the opportunity to serve those who've served us - and for the trust placed in us by the families and loved ones of our veteran members. We're also grateful for the support we have for our mission, and our veterans. For that, thank you.
From all of us at MVH, we wish you a happy holiday season.
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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