Renderings of the new Beacon House to be located near the new UP Health System-Marquette hospital were created by RG Design Company of Marquette. The Beacon House needs to raise $700,000 before breaking ground on the new facility. So far, $2.3 million has been raised. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — Over the past 18 years, Marquette’s Beacon House has provided patients and families with more than 324,000 guest nights during periods of medical crisis. With the Upper Peninsula and 906 area code encompassing about 311,000 residents, this equals out to a little more than a night per U.P. resident.

To spread the word about the Marquette-based hospitality house’s U.P.-wide reach and raise funds for the construction of the new Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House near the recently-completed UP Health System-Marquette hospital along Baraga Avenue, a 906 Day After Work Party will be held by the Beacon House Friday.

“Building this new Beacon House is critical to folks from across the U.P. in order to fully access the specialty medical care they need, so we’re asking everyone in the 906 to consider helping in a small (or BIG!) way if they can,” Mary Dowling, CEO for the Hospitality House of the Upper Peninsula, said in an email.

The event, which will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Hampton Inn Boardwalk in Marquette, will raise funds for the Beacon House Legacy of Love Capital Campaign to support the construction of the new building, with tickets priced at $9.06, organizers said. Attendees can also make or renew a 906 Pledge — a pledge to donate $9.06 monthly — and receive a free Beacon House Yooper shirt with Steve Mariucci’s autograph on the sleeve.

“Our 906 Day event on Friday is a great way to get together and update our friends, donors and the community on our capital campaign to build the new Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House,” Dowling said. “By attending, you’ll be able to get the latest info on our progress, and have the opportunity to support the cause with a 906 Pledge!”

The celebration will feature a pasty bar, grilled brats, wine and Upper Peninsula craft beers, as well as Double Trouble Entertainment and multiple activities. Attendees will even get a chance to decorate or write inspirational messages with paint pens on Lake Superior rocks, as the Beacon House plans to line the perimeter of the construction zone with the rocks at its groundbreaking ceremony.

The 906 Day celebration and pledge hold a special symbolism for the Beacon House and its mission, she said, as the Beacon House serves the entire 906 area code, which encompasses all of the Upper Peninsula.

“It’s a way to get all the people in the 906 to recognize that most likely someone they know or love has used Beacon House and may need us in the future,” Dowling said.

With a $3 million goal for the first phase of the Beacon House’s capital campaign to build the new facility’s first 20 rooms, the group is “now only $700,000 away from being able to break ground,” she said.

“So many people have helped us to get to the $2.3 million that we’ve already raised. We want them all to know how grateful we are, and that they’ll be recognized in our new facility in a significant way,” Dowling said. “For those who have not had a chance to help, this is the time to consider doing so! All donations will come together and make a difference. We are so close. Hopefully this 906 Day event will help create awareness of our need, and make it easy for people to get involved.”

Those who pledge and/or attend Friday’s celebration might be able to help the Beacon House get even closer to the goal.

“If everyone in the 906 could pledge to donate $9.06 per month for 1-5 years, we’ll have all the money we need to break ground and get started … Most people tell us they would not miss $9.06 each month, and this is a great cause to support,” Dowling said. “Some people have even upped their pledge to $90.06 for a year in order to help us!”

While the original Beacon House building along Third Street in Marquette was sold over the summer and the new Beacon House near the hospital has yet to be constructed, the Beacon House is assisting those in need with its Operation Overnight program, as Travel Marquette has provided discounted hotels and motels for verified medical situations, organizers said.

Those who need assistance with lodging can call 906-225-7100.

Tickets are available at the door and online at www.upbeaconhouse.org/906-pledge. To make a donation to the capital campaign or a 906 Pledge, visit www.upbeaconhouse.org /capital-campaign. The pledge can be set up as a recurring, automatic donation over a given period.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248.