Donation made to help veterans’ home

MARQUETTE — The D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette was presented with a check for $7,000 Monday morning by the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. The donation is meant to help the facility better serve its veteran members.

“Supporting our veterans has been close to the hearts of building tradesmen throughout the years,” said Mike Thibault, business representative for the council. “Many of our members are retired military people, and we hold fundraisers throughout the year to be able to make contributions to worthy facilities.”

“We utilize donations here at the home to assist with a number of projects at the home to provide quality events for our members just to improve the quality of life for the men and women that live here,” said Director of Nursing at the Jacobetti Home, Tina Lynch.

Two of the home’s programs — the Music and Memory and Eagle’s Pride programs — will get a boost from the donation. Music and Memory provides MP3 players loaded with music to help residents deal with memory problems. The Eagle’s Pride project provides support to members and their families as they enter end–of–life care.

A number of elected officials were on hand Monday to see the donation being made.

“This is a crown jewel of the U.P. to be able to be here to see this place grow and expand and help our veterans,” said State Representative Scott Dianda.

“These are the very best of our community, and this donation goes a long way in providing much–needed gifts and articles for them,” said State Representative John Kivela.

State Senator Tom Casperson added: “This is a wonderful thing, and I think any time a community takes care of their veterans, it goes well for the whole community.”

“It’s just great that the organizations come together and give this money to a really important part of our community,” said State Representative Ed McBroom, “which is to take care of these veterans and provide for them good living conditions and the best of care.”