COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Charitable events
• Gleaners Community Food
Bank food distribution event is at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 9-11a.m. Dec. 29, while supplies last, for anyone in need. Drive-up and stay in the vehicle, or walk-up distribution, no need for proof of eligibility. For information, call 248-858-5495 or email OCmarket@oakgov.com.
• Oxford United Methodist along with other neighborhood churches provide Saturday morning breakfast and fellowship from 9:30-10:30a.m. It is free of charge and open to all, oxfordunitedmc.org.
• Faith Church in Rochester
Hills is offering free meals to the community, 5:30-6:45p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 12, Jan. 19and Jan. 26, at Faith Church, 160 W Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, faithchurchrochesterhills.org/ sharethetable.
Charitable organizations
• American Red Cross, www. redcross.org, 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669). Mail a check: American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 500370839
• Baldwin Center, baldwincenter. networkforgood.com, 332-6101
• Easter Seals, www.easterseals. com/donate, 800-221-6827
• Forgotten Harvest, www. forgottenharvest.org, 248-9671500
• Gleaners Food Bank, gleaners. nationbuilder.com, 866-GLEANER (453-2637)
• Goodwill Industries, www. goodwill.org, 800-466-3945
• Grace Centers of Hope shelter, www.gracecentersofhope.org
• Higher Hopes!, www.higherhopesdetroit.org, 248-3609300
• Lighthouse, www.lighthouseoakland.org/expo, 248-9206000
• Love In the Name of Christ of North Oakland County (Love I.N.C.), a non-profit cooperative effort that links churches, volunteers, and service agencies to help people in need, Loveincofnoc.org, 248-693-4357.
• Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, (OLHSA), provides Head Start, housing assistance, food assistance, senior supports, and workforce development, olhsa.org, 248935-1796.
• The Salvation Army, salmich. org, 877-SAL-MICH
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan, unitedwaysem.org, 313-226-9200, or call 211
Children’s activities
• Cheddar’s Preschool Story Time with Cheddar the Village Mouse and Mrs. Laura is 10:30 a.m., Jan. 5, with stories and crafts for children ages 2-5 at Troy Historic Village, 60W. Wattles Road, Troy, Troy Historical Society Members: $5/child and $3/adult; Non-Members: $6/child and $4/adult. Register at troyhistoricvillage.org.
• Digger the Groundhog and Mr. Tom teach children ages 5-10 how to use tools and senses to learn about artifacts at 10 a.m. on Jan. 8, at Troy Historic Village, 60W. Wattles Road, Troy, Troy Historical Society Members: $5/child and $3/adult; Non-Members: $6/child and $4/ adult. Register at troyhistoricvillage.org.
Fundraisers
• Live Comedy Benefit: Telethon-style show 5-10p.m. Dec. 29, GravCap Brewing, 14 North Washington St., Oxford, fundraiser for the victims of the Oxford High School shooting, Doomsday Shelter Comedy for Mental Health, facebook.com/ DoomsdayShelterComedy.
Health/Blood drives
• The City of Troy is hosting Red Cross Blood Drives, 9a.m.-7p.m. Dec. 27; 9a.m.-7p.m. Jan. 4 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 5, at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois, Troy. Donation appointments can be scheduled by calling 313-300-9617, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or by using the free Blood Donor App.
• The American Red Cross blood supply is at historically low levels. Donors who go to give through Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. The Red Cross seeks donations of all blood types — especially type O. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.
• American Red Cross Blood
Drive is 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Costick Center, 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills. Face masks required. Appointments required, register at redcrossblood.org with the sponsor code costickcenter or call 1-800-448-3543.
• State of Michigan COVID-19 hotline for testing or vaccines is 1-888-535-6136, (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.), for information, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus or email COVID19@michigan.gov.
• Oakland County COVID-19 Vaccination, OaklandCountyVaccine.com.
Holiday activities
• Winter Wonder Lights selfguided outdoors, 5:30-10p.m. through Dec. 30, Meadow Brook Hall, Oakland University, Rochester Hills, $12-$22. Purchase advance tickets at meadowbrookholidays.com.
• Holiday Lights at Troy Historic Village: Dec. 29and 30 with timeslots from 4-8p.m., at the village, 60W. Wattles Road, Troy, free admission for Troy Historical Society Members and all kids under 6, $7/nonmembers adult, $5seniors and ages 6-12, troyhistoricvillage.org.
• Holidays at the Museum: Noon-3p.m. Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 248-841-2690, rochesterhills.org/museum, $5.
• Interactive Exhibit: All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit is noon3p.m. Dec. 27, 28, 29, 30, presented by The Stoney Creek Model Railroad Club, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, rochesterhills.org/museum, $5.
• Glenlore Trails: Aurora holiday light show is Thursday through Sunday evenings, following sunset, through the season, at 3860Newton Road, Commerce Township, $25 gen. admission, $20for ages 65+, $15for ages 4-12, free for ages 3and younger, glenloretrails.com.
• Holly Dazzle is 5:30-10:30p.m. through Dec. 31, on the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival,12600Dixie Hwy., Holly, michrenfest.com, adm. for 13+ is $21.95+, adm. for ages 5-12 is $7.95+, free for ages 4and younger.
• The Great Decorate: Annual holiday tree decorating contest at participating businesses in downtown Birmingham. To vote, donate any amount to your favorite tree at TheGreatDecorate. com through Dec. 31. Donations to benefit teens in need.
• Harry Potter New Years Eve
Ball Drop is 8p.m.-midnight, Dec. 31, Sundquist Pavillion, downtown Farmington, gfachamber. com/holly-days-2021.
• Michigan Mitten Drop, Kid’z Drop Celebration: 4-7p.m. Dec. 31at Canterbury Village, Orion Twp., 6-foot illuminated Mitten dropping at 6:30p.m., familyfriendly activities, live entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, MichiganMittenDrop.com, $7, parking is $5, free for ages younger than 2, military and veterans.
• “Magic of Lights” drivethrough holiday lights experience is being held, evenings, through Jan. 1, DTE Energy Music Theatre, Independence Township, register at magicoflights.com/ events/clarkston, $20+.
• The Big, Bright Light Show lights up downtown Rochester, nightly from 5 p.m.-midnight through Jan. 2, then every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the weekend of Jan. 15, DowntownRochesterMI.com.
Libraries
• Brandon Township Public Library, 304South St., Ortonville hosts “Manifesting Your Best”, Jan. 3-8for ages 13+. Pick up materials to make a vision board of goals, must also check out a library item, brandonlibrary.org, 248-627-1460.
• Ferndale Library, 222E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, Ferndale Library to be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 2for updates to Kids Corner and Atrium. Digital content (for all ages) is available 24⁄7 to Ferndale Library cardholders, including eBooks/Audiobooks through LIBBY & HOOPLA, streaming music via FREEGAL, and video content from KANOPY. The library will reopen to the public at 10a.m. Jan. 3. The community room will remain closed until late January, fadl.org.
Parks/Outdoor activities
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation is hosting holiday Appreciation Days including Dec. 31, when visitors can enjoy free daily park entry at Addison Oaks County Park in Leonard, Highland Oaks County Park in Highland Twp., Independence Oaks County Park in Independence Twp., Lyon Oaks County Park in Wixom, Orion Oaks County Park and Orion Oaks
Dog Park in Orion Township,
Red Oaks Dog Park in Madison Heights and Rose Oaks County Park near Holly. Park hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, or as posted, OaklandCountyParks. com.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation Annual Vehicle Permits for 2022 are on sale now for access to the eight parks for the rest of 2021 through Dec. 31, 2022, $30 for residents and $48 regular rate. Permits may be purchased by mail, in person or online at OaklandCountyParks.com.
• 2022 Huron-Clinton Metroparks annual park passes are on sale through Dec. 31, residents of the five counties served — Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne — can purchase a vehicle pass for $35, or $24 for seniors 62+. Starting Jan. 1, the 2022annual pass will be $40 for residents ($29 for seniors 62+) or $45 for nonresidents ($34 for Seniors 62+), metroparks.com.
• Trail Hikes by Appointment are Jan. 7-8 at Wint Nature Center in Independence Oaks County Park, 9501Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. Register for time slots at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Up to three family groups will be admitted per time slot.
Park entry fee applies. Masks are recommended, touchless temperature checks and other safety measures. Check-in at the white tent near the nature center. In case of inclement weather, programs will be canceled. Preregistration required by calling 248-858-0916 weekdays.
• Bat Real Estate program about native bat species, is 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, via Zoom. Participants can pick up a kit to build a bat house, Jan. 7-21, while supplies last, $25/kit. Program for ages 8+. Register at 248-858-0916during business hours and select a location to pick up program kits.
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan. gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
Sports
• “Discover Michigan Skiing” learn-to-ski program is Jan. 2-31at participating ski areas, including Mt. Holly in Holly, Pine Knob in Independence Twp., and Mt. Brighton in Brighton. The program includes: a beginner lesson, ski or snowboard rental equipment and a beginner-area ski lift pass or cross-country trail pass for a set fee of $45. For information, visit goskimichigan. com.
• The “Cold is Cool” Ski & Ride Passport program app allows 4th and 5th-grade students to ski for free, up to three times, at each of the 29participating ski areas. The cost is $25per child, which covers operational expenses, all lift tickets are donated by the ski areas. Local participating ski areas include Alpine Valley Ski Area in White Lake Twp.; Mt. Holly Ski Area in Holly and Mt. Brighton in Brighton. For information, visit the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association website at goskimichigan.com, or visit coldiscool.org.
Support resources
• Oxford Bank, Oxford Community Schools, and the Oxford Downtown Development Authority have established the Oxford Community Memorial and Victim’s Fund at oxfordbank.com/ donations, to accept donations for the families and community affected by the Oxford High School shooting.
• Genisys Credit Union is accepting donations to assist Oxford families. To donate to Oxford Strong, visit any of the 28Genisys branch locations in Michigan. Checks can be made payable to Genisys Credit Union- Oxford Strong. For more information, visit genisyscu.org/locations.
• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24⁄7 — call or text 800-231-1127.
• Mental health resources: easterseals.com/michigan/exploreresources/mental-health-tipsduring-a.html.
• Hospice of Michigan continues to offer virtual grief support groups, hom.org.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255), suicidepreventionlifeline. org or text 741741.