Ortonville businesses sponsor annual Ruck for Veterans walk
Bearss Fitness and Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy in Ortonville sponsored this year’s Ruck Walk for Veterans for Ortonville VFW Post 582.
“I would like to thank Bearss Fitness and Ivy Rehab owner Joshua Bearss and manager Sean Duffey for sponsoring the Ruck for Veterans fun walk and Robin Loughlin, who was a big help in organizing the event. The Ruck for Veterans walk helped the local Ortonville VFW Post
582 (raise) over $500 in donations,” said VFW Post 582 Commander Dennis Hoffman.
It has been tough this year to conduct fundraisers, but Hoffman said the Ortonville community has been great at supporting the VFW with generous donations. The new businesses Bearss Fitness and Ivy Rehab stepped up to help veterans at Post 582 and the 16 local charitable programs, schools and scouting organizations that they support.
The Ruck for Veterans walkers stopped at Hoffman’s home to show their support during their walk on Nov. 14. Hoffman and Sr. Vice-Cmdr. Carl Jeffrey conduct Wellness checks each Monday for their veteran members.
The post would like to increase its membership. For more information, call Hoffman at 248-627-1065.
• Wreaths Across America: The annual wreath-laying ceremony will be virtual this year. Supporters can still sponsor a wreath for $15 and volunteer and donate at wreathsacrossamerica.org. The Wreaths across America Great Lakes Virtual Ceremony will be uploaded to their Facebook page on Dec. 19 at facebook.com/WAAGLNC. No public ceremony will take place. There will be an alternate wreath distribution site where a drive-thru for safe social distancing will be set up. For a flyer with maps and detailed instructions, email Deb Rakoczy at rakoczy.deborah@sbcglobal.net.
• Veterans Virtual Job Expo: This career fair takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and supports heroes in finding jobs in business, data and technology. For more information and to sign-up for free tickets, visit www.eventbrite. com/e/veterans-virtual-jobexpo.
• Desert Angels: The nonprofit Desert Angels will send Christmas boxes and stockings to deployed military. Military units are requesting specific personal hygiene and Christmas items. The organization is requesting that family and friends of deployed military send them a list of special items to be sent. Volunteers may participate in porch drop-off or pick-up of items or pack and ship themselves. For more information, call Louise Blain at 248-736-6403, email office@thedesertangel.org or visit www.thedesertangel.org.
• Senior Veterans AtHome Flu Shots: The Oakland County Health Division has launched a new program to vaccinate residents including veterans 65 years and older for influenza in their homes. Public Health Nurses will visit a residents’ home during a designated appointment time and can provide individuals 65 years and older a senior higher dose or regular flu shot. Flu vaccination is very important this year to help reduce respiratory illnesses and avoid overwhelming the healthcare system. Appointments are required. Call 800-848-5533 for an appointment. For up-to-date information, visit www.oakgov.com/health or call the Health Division’s Flu Shot Hotline 800-434-3358.
• Grocery Delivery: Oakland County is providing a free home delivery grocery service membership for senior adults age 60 or older. The service is through Shipt, which normally costs $99 annually. It gives Oakland County seniors the convenience and safety of shopping online and have free same-day home delivery from a variety of local stores. Only the delivery is free; the ordered items must be paid for online using a credit or debit card. Interested residents must sign up by Dec. 10 at www. oakgov.com/covid/grants/ shipt to receive a registration code and redeem it by Dec. 20. Members get free delivery for orders more than $35. A $7 delivery fee is added if the order total is less than $35. For account specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/covid/grants/shipt. Registration assistance is available by calling the Oakland County Help Hotline weekdays from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at 248-858-1000.
The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@aol.com. Allow at least two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.