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Every nonprofit could use someone like Peter Frank.
The 20-year-old from Escanaba plans to leave later this spring for a canoe trip down the Mississippi River -- about 2,400 miles -- to benefit the new Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House, located at 200 S. Seventh St. in Marquette. The facility gives families and loved ones of hospital patients a place to stay nearby so they don't have to waste time traveling to and from their hometowns.
In 2021, Frank rode his unicycle from Wisconsin to Arizona on behalf of Beacon House, a trip that raised $15,000 for the facility. In total, Frank has raised $26,000 for the cause.
However, he wants to reach his $100,000 goal, and that's where his upcoming canoe trip comes in.
Peter Frank already knows hardship.
When Frank was 14, he was hiding in a pile of leaves when a car ran over him, leaving him to fight for his life in the hospital. He broke 14 bones and needed back and leg surgery three days after his accident when he still was sedated. He also faced other medical issues.
However, his mother could stay close to him at the former Beacon House, which was located along Third Street in Marquette.
When a patient is lying in the hospital, family often is a source of joy and comfort in a difficult time, and Beacon House makes it easier for families to be near their loved ones.
Frank knows the new facility, which opened in December, needs funds to keep going, so he hopes his trip raises much-needed money.
It bears repeating that every dollar donated to Beacon is tax-deductible and goes directly to the facility.
Donations can be made at upbeaconhouse. org/peterfrank. A check or money order can be sent too, with "Peter Frank" written on the memo and made payable to the Mariucci Family Beacon House, to 200 S. Seventh St., Marquette, MI 49855.
Frank said every donor will be listed on the Beacon House website by name, plus he will mention the list of donors and businesses on his social media videos during his trip.
People can follow Frank on his Mississippi River journey at whereispeterfrank.com where has links to his social media accounts.
Although donating to Beacon House is a noble cause, if nothing else, reading about Frank's journeys is a source of inspiration to everyone.
Frank's trips are classic examples of giving back to a cause that helped a person so much in the past. It would be easy to just be grateful, which in itself isn't a bad thing, but Frank is going above and beyond in "paying it forward."
We support Frank and hope people donate to the Beacon House -- a truly noble endeavor.
-- The Mining Journal, Marquette