An important landmark in our community recently celebrated a wonderful occasion. While The Beacon House has provided patients and families with a much-needed home away from home for two decades, its physical location — the new Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House — marked its one-year anniversary.

The new location open on South Seventh Street in Marquette is right near the UP Health Systems Marquette buildings.

Through the years, The Beacon House has provided care for 2,160 people and 8,800 overnight stays as they receive specialty medical care at UP Health System-Marquette and the Upper Peninsula Medical Center.

“We are just so excited that we have been open for over a year,” said Mary Tavernini-Dowling, CEO of the Hospitality House of the Upper Peninsula, in a recent Mining Journal story.

For those unaware, The Beacon House is a donation-based operation with guests paying what they can afford.

Dowling said that every dollar makes operating the Beacon House happen and is grateful for all donations, whether big or small, like local kids who have done can drives.

“In that one short little year, we have met so many incredible people,” Dowling said.

In addition to lodging, the Beacon House provides guests with anything they may need during their stay to make them feel comfortable, including a wig salon for cancer patients.

“I walk through this building and every corner I turn there is someone you can help,” Dowling said. “The guests that I speak with always say that ‘you have thought of everything.'”

The average stay at the Beacon House is three nights, with the longest being 337 nights, allowing family to stay nearby their loved ones undergoing medical treatment.

While there are no TVs in guest sleeping rooms, there are several “warm and inviting” TV rooms for guests to enjoy. Guests can also use the kitchen and dining room to prepare and enjoy meals.

The newest addition of “you thought of everything” is that Beacon House obtained a vehicle to help transport guests to and from the hospital during their stay.

We hope everyone in the Upper Peninsula is impressed with this wonderful facilty and will support the non-profit Mariucci Beacon House in any fundraiser it schedules.

For more information on the Beacon House or ways to donate, visit upbeaconhouse.org.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette