Volunteers representing the Room at the Inn wash windows on Washington Street this morning. (Journal photo by Jackie Jahfetson)

MARQUETTE — The late Phil Niemisto was the famous window washer in downtown Marquette, but others are now taking on that duty as an act of service.

On Friday morning, a group of missionaries wearing neon vests from St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Houghton came down to volunteer for the Room at the Inn to wash various business windows along West Washington Street in Marquette.

In honor of Niemisto’s memory, the Room at the Inn hopes to give back to everyone who has been generous to The Warming Center throughout the community, RATI Executive Director Nick Emmendorfer said, noting that they hope to continue on with Niemisto’s legacy and improve the atmosphere in downtown Marquette.

“This is important, because right now we are on the verge of establishing a permanent shelter here at The Warming Center location. And I want to (do) everything possible to let the community know that we just want to be friendly partners with the Marquette DDA (Downtown Development Authority) and carry on the memory of Phil Niemisto, who gave so selflessly to the downtown community,” Emmendorfer said.

Missionary Makenna Ketter said that it’s important to give back, even through a small gesture.

“We’re volunteering because essentially it’s important. There’s a need for volunteers, there’s a need everywhere we go, especially in our own backyard. There’s poverty everywhere, whether it’s financial poverty or emotional or spiritual,” Ketter said. “… If we have something to give, whether it’s our time, our money, our labor, we should give it because there’s a great need (for it).”

It’s not just shopping local, Ketter said, it’s about loving local too, through service and simple acts of kindness.

Jackie Jahfetson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is jjahfetson@miningjournal.net.