Volunteer Voices

Jessica Grasse

When Jessica and Jimmy Grasse opened Grasse’s Grill in 2012, they knew they were exactly where they were meant to be. Jimmy, who grew up in Ellison Bay, and Jessica, from Gurnee, Illinois, met in Madison, where she was a nurse. Their dream was to move “back home” and raise their family in Door County, and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

“After our first season, I got the chance to see everything that was happening in Door County. I was overwhelmed by the support of the community and couldn’t believe all of the great things people were doing,” recalled Jessica. “Everyone I talked to was volunteering somewhere – The Ridges, Door County Land Trust, Bargains Unlimited. I was so impressed by people looking out for each other that I wanted to come up with something to show our gratitude to these people who were doing so much.”

So “Terrific Tuesdays” at Grasse’s Grill was born. “We wanted to say ‘thank you’ to local people who give their time to make Door County such a great place,” said Jessica. Door County volunteers are encouraged to enter their name and where they volunteer into a monthly drawing. Then, on the first Tuesday of the month, a volunteer is chosen and Grasse’s treats them to lunch. In addition, 10 percent of their profits from that day go directly to the nonprofit agency where they volunteer. July’s volunteer, Cindy, volunteers with the Friends of Rock Island. Grasse’s donation will go to repair the summer kitchen there.

“I’m really enjoying learning about the nonprofits. When volunteers register, they’ll tell me all about what they do and what the agency does. It’s really such a gift just living in a community surrounded by people who are doing such great things.”

Both Jessica and Jimmy are volunteers themselves. Jessica is a Girl Scout leader and teaches yoga to kids. Jimmy is a Cub Scout leader and helps out at school during the “off season” as well.

“When I was a nurse, I worked on the transplant floor. It really gave me an appreciation for people, life and giving,” said Jessica. “My grandmother, who had voice box cancer, was visited by hospice volunteers. They made such a difference to her. They made those ‘dark times’ so much better and made her laugh.”

Volunteers are a special group of people to Jessica and Jimmy Grasse and “Terrific Tuesdays” are just a small way that they can say “thank you” to the people who make Door County such an incredible place to live. We happen to think that Jessica and Jimmy Grasse are pretty terrific, too!

For volunteer opportunities throughout Door County, contact the Volunteer Center at 746.7704 or [email protected].