Holiday helpers: Fundraisers and donation opportunities
• Samaritan’s Purse is hosting the annual Operation Christmas Child, collecting and delivering shoeboxes full of gifts to children worldwide. Families, churches and other organizations are asked to pack shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items and toys and then take to a drop- off location during National Collection Week Nov. 16-23. Drop- Off locations are listed at samaritanspurse.org. The organization also offers an option to build a shoebox online on the website.
• The Salvation Army of Farmington Hills seeks assistance to provide food for families in need. The nonprofit is requesting additional turkeys and traditional sides, such as instant mashed potatoes and gravy, for its upcoming Thanksgiving meal drivethru distribution in Farmington Hills. The food will go to 100 families who have pre-registered. Food donations can be dropped- off at the Farmington Hills Corps Community Center, located at 27500 Shiawassee St., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted until Monday, Nov. 23.
• The Troy Police Department kicks off the annual Operation Blue Sleigh Holiday, a food and gift drive program to help residents in need. The department seeks sponsors to adopt a family or make a donation of cash or gift cards. The Police Department works with community organizations and co-sponsor Alliance Mobile Health. Monetary donations can be made by check, made out to Alliance Mobile Health. Checks can be dropped off at the Police Department, 500 W. Big Beaver Road. Troy. Those wishing to adopt a family, should contact Officer Greg Pokley, by email at pokleyga@troymi.gov, or call (248) 680-7223 by Nov.
25.
• Busch’s Fresh Food Market 13th annual “Season of Sharing” food drive is Nov. 16-Nov. 29, to benefit local food banks and rescue agencies. Donations will be accepted at all Busch’s locations in Southeast Michigan. Donation options include purchasing a pre-made “Ready to Go” donation bag with 16 items for a family in need, making a monetary donation at a Busch’s checkout register, purchasing gift cards, and donating bottle return slips, buschs.com/community-giving.
• Forgotten Harvest is offering its annual holiday cards, with the ability to customize the message inside. Cards and envelopes are available in packs of 25 for a suggested donation of $30 per pack, including shipping. Special tribute cards available for a donation of $5 each. Contact Laura at lburton@forgottenharvest.org or call (616) 405- 5109 with any questions. Order by Dec. 14 for guaranteed delivery by Dec. 24, forgottenharvest.org.
• Flagstar’s Dancing with the Stars is 7 p.m. Nov. 21, virtual charity benefit for Lighthouse of Oakland County, my.lighthousemi. org/dancing/Donate/ Tickets, $100+.
• “Coats for the Cold” coat drive collection is through Nov. 30 in Oakland County. Donations of new or gentlyused, clean coats and jackets are sought to be distributed to those in need. The coat drive is a partnership of the sheriff’s office, Genisys Credit Union, Real Estate One, McKenzie Moving and 1- 800- Self- Storage, oakgov.com/sheriff/ Community% 20Services/ domestic/Pages/Coats-forthe- Cold.aspx.