To the Journal editor:

April 17th – 23rd is Volunteer Appreciation Week. At Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti (MVHDJJ), we salute all our volunteers past and present. Volunteers play a very special role and simply allow us to do more for the veteran members who call MVHDJJ home.

Historically, we capture 9,000+ hours of in-person volunteering at MVHDJJ each year. The pandemic diminished in-person volunteering for well over a year, but our volunteers continued to support the veteran members at MVHDJJ. Volunteers loaded music on iPods, returned cans, filled wish list requests, created room and door decorations, sent cards, decorated place mats, took part in video chats with veteran members, planted flowers and bulbs and contributed to the Spring and Fall cleanup of our grounds.

In July 2021, we brought back our first in-person volunteers. This small, dedicated group of volunteers underwent additional training and follow rigorous infection control protocols when they visit. Local service organizations are again, hosting our veteran members for lunches and their lives are greatly enriched by these experiences.

At MVHDJJ, we are incredibly fortunate to have the most dedicated volunteers and supporters. Volunteers come from many service groups including the American Legion and Auxiliary, AMVETS and Auxiliary, Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary, the Elks, Marine Corps League, the Masons, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary, Vietnam Veterans of America, Northern Michigan University, Marquette Area Technical Middle College, Southshore Fishing Association, and many others. Additionally, we also have many supporters with no special affiliation beyond their commitment to serving veterans.

On behalf of the member veterans and staff at Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti, we are incredibly grateful for your support. To our volunteers who have not yet come back, we miss you. We look forward to seeing you again and appreciate your support.

With gratitude,

SARAH JOHNSON,

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR and

RON OJA, ADMINISTRATOR