It raised a lot of money for a good cause.

Beacon House, located at 200 S. Seventh St. in Marquette, allows loved ones of patients at UP Health System-Marquette, located adjacent to the facility, to stay close to them without having to worry about paying for necessities.

Mariucci, former coach of the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers and a native of Iron Mountain, has been involved in the Beacon House mission for decades, with the new facility opening in December.

However, he wasn’t the only big-name coach involved in the fundraiser.

Former NFL coach Steve Mariucci, right, receives help from Tom Wahlstrom, certified executive chef at Elizabeth’s Chop House in Marquette, at Thursday’s Grill & Chill fundraiser. The purpose of the event was to raise money for the Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

Also taking part was Tom Izzo, head basketball coach at Michigan State University and another Iron Mountain native. Nick Baumgartner of Iron River, an Olympic gold medalist in mixed team snowboard cross in this year’s Winter Olympics, also made an appearance at the fundraiser.

Mariucci and Izzo, with help from knowledgeable chefs, grilled meat and chicken, respectively, which was served to attendees who voted on their favorite.

The goal, though, was to raise money for Beacon House.

“There are so many people that are here that had been here before, that are supporters of Beacon House,” Mariucci said, including some of his college teammates from more than four decades ago.

Before he talked about the facility, a helicopter transporting a patient flew overhead.

Mariucci, left, watches Olympic gold medalist Nick Baumgartner take to the grill. (Journal photos by Christie Mastric)

“There’s nothing more fitting, and more timely, than seeing that helicopter,” Mariucci said.

Beacon House CEO Mary Tavernini Dowling said, “Every time we see that helicopter, we know that within minutes, we’re going to have a family calling us, saying, ‘My dad, my brother, my mom, my sister, my son, my daughter was just airlifted to Marquette,’ because this is the regional hospital.

“There is where when something goes really bad, these wonderful professionals, they’re the ones who are going to take care of them, and we know that we’re going to welcome their family members in, and we’re going to take care of them.”

She called Mariucci a “friend who understands what Beacon House is.”

Tavernini Dowling said in an email that the event raised $92,000 through donations, ticket sales, sponsorships, auction items, bricks and blocks. Former NFL placekicker Jay Feely, she said, is matching what was raised, bringing the total for this first-time event to $184,000.

Former NFL coach Steve Mariucci, left, and Michigan State University basketball coach Tom Izzo take part in Thursday’s Grill & Chill fundraiser to benefit the Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

The event had a fun flair to it, with Izzo, talking via microphone, jokingly telling the crowd that chicken is healthier than meat. Mariucci, on the other hand, taped shut the container where chicken voters were to place their “ballots.”

Izzo came out as the “top chef” for the evening.

Mariucci noted that with the relocation of UP Health System-Marquette to Baraga Avenue, it was necessary to have Beacon House nearby. He also said the facility has been full since the December grand opening.

“We were able, with the generosity of so many people, to build this fabulous facility,” Mariucci said.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.