Little Brothers – Michigan Chapter

Programs and Services

Inspired by our founder Armand Marquiset’s desire to “spread across the earth igniting little fires of love,” we are providing friendship and services throughout five counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan including Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette, and Ontonagon. Please note that not all services are available in all locations.

Special Pandemic Notice

We are committed to continuing all of our programs and essential services throughout the pandemic though we have made necessary adjustments to promote social distancing, health, and safety. Please call 906-482-6944 with any questions or concerns regarding our programs or procedures.

MISSION IN MOTION

In response to the pandemic, we have made adjustments to our programs to maintain safe practices and social distancing. We have introduced Virtual Activities, Telephone Reassurance, Friendship Mail, and Grocery Shopping and Delivery service.

For more information, please email Dean Lahti, Elder Services Coordinator at dean.lahti@littlebrothers.org or call 906-482-6944. If you’re in the Marquette area, please email Leslie Bek, Program Manager at leslie.bek@littlebrothers.org or call 906-273-2575.

Friendly Visiting

Our Friendly Visiting Program provides friendship and social support for lonely, isolated elderly people age 60 or older. Visits include more than just friendly conversation. We also assist our Forever Friends with medical transportation, running errands, and small tasks.

Medical Transportation

We provide door-through-door (picking up passengers at the door of their home and delivering them to the door of their destination) Medical Transportation within Houghton and Keweenaw Counties for elderly residents age 60 and older. We also provide transportation to our nearest regional hospital in Marquette. We also provide handicap accessible transportation using wheelchair vans. This service is provided free-of-charge.

We require at least one week notice to enable us to recruit a volunteer driver or reserve a wheelchair van.

To request transportation, please email Denise Laux, Transportation Coordinator at denise.laux@littlebrothers.org or call 906-482-6944.

Firewood Program

Many Copper Country residents still heat their home with firewood. We supply our elderly friends with a load of firewood each winter to offset their annual heating costs. Donated firewood must be used solely for home heating, not for discretionary heating such as for sauna firewood.

To request a load of firewood, please email Debby Hart, Supplemental Firewood Coordinator at debby.hart@littlebrothers.org or call 906-482-6944.

Holiday Celebrations

On Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter we host holiday dinner parties at 10 locations in the five county area for anyone age 60 or older who will be alone on the holiday. We also have two sites dedicated for home meal deliveries.

Our dinner parties are festive celebrations with a traditional holiday meal, brightly decorated hall and tables, entertainment, and lots of laughter. Before our elderly guests leave, they receive a fresh flower and usually some leftovers to enjoy the next day.

Transportation is provided for those who need it, and all volunteers are encouraged to sit and eat with our elderly guests.

Dinner party locations:

Hancock, Calumet, Houghton, Tapiola, South Range, Mohawk, Ontonagon, Baraga, and Marquette.

Our two Home Meal Delivery Sites are in Houghton and Calumet

For more information or to receive an invitation, please email Aila Weber, the Activities Coordinator at aila.weber@littlebrothers.org or call 906-482-6944. If you’re in the Marquette area, please email Leslie Bek, Program Manager at leslie.bek@littlebrothers.org or call 906-273-2575.

Food Assistance

Each month we deliver a grocery bag of non-perishable food to elderly people who qualify.

Medical Aid Equipment

We accept and loan out common aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, and commodes.

Social Activities

We provide our Forever Friends with numerous social activities throughout the year including birthday celebrations. We celebrate holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Our goal is to give our Forever Friends the opportunity to remain active and celebrate these special occasions. Please visit our calendar for our current events.

These events are reserved for our elderly Forever Friends. Not all activities are available in all counties.