National Service Impact Award winner Lois Westman from Ishpeming. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Johnson)

ISHPEMING — Lois Westman of Ishpeming was one of five people in Michigan to be honored by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with a National Service Impact Award at the annual Governor’s Service Awards.

The awards, held Thursday at the Detroit Opera House, honored 38 individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations for their commitment to volunteerism, service or philanthropy.

“Community service makes Michigan a better place to live and every year, we get to honor some exemplary Michiganders who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference in people’s lives,” Whitmer said in a news release.

Westman’s award was given for serving the country through the military or AmeriCorps, or successfully supporting AmeriCorps members or veterans through volunteerism to make an impact on communities.

She said her favorite part was speaking with her fellow award winners and listening to their stories and experiences.

For over 20 years, Westman has been serving the Michigan Veterans Homes D.J. Jacobetti. She has accrued more than 3,500 hours of lifetime service and credits her brother, David, a Marine veteran, for involving her with the American Legion Auxiliary.

Presently, she is a regular member of the ALA Unit 114 and a lifetime member of the AMVETS Auxiliary Post 122. Through these organizations, Westman has helped plan, sponsor and execute specialty events at the Jacobetti home.

“The best job I’ve ever had is this,” Westman said. “I mean, it’s hard to call it work because I get so much out of it, I really do. I get more than what I can even possibly give.”

In addition, she entertains veterans by singing and playing music on multiple instruments. While visiting the home, Westman enjoys singing patriotic songs, especially the service songs, followed by a recognition of the veterans in the audience.

“They sing along with me, it’s so neat,” she said.

She was even one of the first volunteers to return after the COVID-19 pandemic, following all of the strict protocols necessary for her to return to the home.

Veterans finding themselves feeling down or depressed are often comforted by Westman in her attempts to make them feel better.

“There’s times when someone might just need to talk, feels depressed or something, or not feeling very well and you just want to cheer them up and I’ll do it and I’ll go to the extreme,” she said. “I will dance, sing … try to remind them of joys they have in their life, too, and that there’s so much to be grateful for…. Their roommate, it may be someone down the hall that brings them joy, maybe a special nurse…. If they have some family photos, ask them about their family. I like when they smile. I like when they’re happy.”

On top of her dedication to the Jacobetti home, she also serves at the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. There, she raised over $32,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life walk through her and her sister’s team.

“With her big grin and hearty laugh, Westman brings great joy to everything she does and everyone she serves,” her entry stated.

“The spirit and passion of this year’s honorees is astonishing,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes. “The level of selfless giving these Michiganders show should be an inspiration to us all.”

While downstate for the ceremony — which Westman said was “amazing” — she received a tote bag full of cards from Jacobetti home residents and employees, AMVETS ladies, RSVP of Marquette County and more.

For those looking to get into volunteering, Westman encourages them to sit down and help a senior or a veteran play bingo.

“Giving them a smile and just sitting there,” she said, “sometimes just to be present is amazing and puts a smile on their face.”