First Thing Farmington-Farmington Hills

Farmington Area Moms Club Helps Salvation Army

The moms and their children spent a collective four hours ringing bells at Busch's Fresh Food Market on Friday.

The Salvation Army has friends in the Farmington Area Moms Club, whose members and their children spent a total of four hours on Friday ringing bells and collecting donations at Busch's Fresh Food Market in Farmington Hills.  In all, 10 moms and 14 children made use of the Farmington Public Schools half-day off to help fill the Salvation Army's signature red kettle. Moms said the kids were excited about ringing the bell, and that the event provided an opportunity to remind them what they have that others don't, and how they can help others, even in a small way.  To volunteer for the Salvation Army Farmington Hills Community Corps Center, visit www.registertoring.com/salmich or call 248-477-1153 ext. 12. In person applications  are accepted…

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Hear That Bell Ringing? Volunteers Needed for Farmington Area Red Kettle Campaign

The Salvation Army relies on volunteers like Dennis Mahle and the members of St. John Lutheran Church to meet their $8.5 million goal.

Dennis Mahle worries that he may be giving people tinnitus.  The long-time Salvation Army volunteer has been recruiting volunteers at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills by – what else? – ringing the bell. This year, he needs another 30 volunteers to fill out the schedule and help the Salvation Army meet its $8.5 million goal.  "Sometimes, it's hard to get them to do it," he said. "But once they do, they're eagerly coming back, year after year."  Mahle said he started bell ringing 18 or 19 years ago, because "it struck me as a good thing to do ... one of the good reasons for the season." While some go to Haiti or other foreign countries to help others, he said, bell ringing is a way to reach out close to home.  "We get almost 100 …

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Give to Others This Weekend in Farmington and Farmington Hills

Donate toys, clothing, food, time or cash to these local organizations.

Because this is a holiday weekend, and the Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market has closed for the regular season, there aren't many activities on our calendar.  So we thought we'd provide you with a handy list of charitable drives that you can support this weekend, with donations of clothing, nonperishable foods, books and toys and cash. Browse through the photos above, then click on the links below for more information:  Do you know about a charitable cause that's not on our list? Tell us in a comment, and we'll add it to the list. 

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How to Help the Hungry, Get Help in Farmington and Farmington Hills This Holiday Season

One in four Michigan children lives in poverty. In this season of being thankful and giving back, here are ways to help make others' holidays warmer.

The holiday season is a time of joy, and for the fortunate, of plenty. Sadly, hunger continues to be a problem, with one in four Michigan children living in poverty and nearly half qualifying for free or low-cost school lunches.  To help, Patch.com has launched an online food drive, with all of its 30 Michigan sites participating. Patch is partnering with Gleaners Community Food Bank in this virtual food drive, and the goal is to raise $10,000 by Nov. 17 to help feed local families. Shop Gleaners' virtual grocery shelves. Click to get started! Follow progress of Patch's fight against hunger. Click to watch donations grow! Why give? How You Can Help That being said, you can help—or get help—in any number of ways in the Farmington/Farmington…

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Help Patch Fight Hunger in Farmington and Farmington Hills

Starting today, you can purchase and donate food to the Gleaners Community Food Bank during Patch's virtual food drive. Our goal is to collect $10,000 through Nov. 17 to help feed the area's hungry families.

The statistics are grim, especially for children. One out of four Michigan children lives in a household with food insecurity, meaning they do not always know where their next meal is coming from. In southeast Michigan, nearly 40 percent of more than 100,000 people receiving food assistance each week are children under age 18. Poor nutrition, particularly in the first three years of life, has profound implications on a child’s physical and mental health, development, academic achievement and economic productivity. Today Patch.com, through its 30 Michigan sites, is launching an online food drive to raise $10,000 by Nov. 17 to feed area families. This is the first virtual food drive for the Gleaners Community Food Bank, and Patch is proud …

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Longacre Brownie Troop Helps Salvation Army

The Farmington troop's collection of socks was a real family affair.

Brownie Troop #70449 from Longacre Elementary delivered a collection of socks late last month to The Salvation Army in Plymouth. The drive started when Brownie Kate Aren told her troop members about her aunt Laurie Aren, who works for the nonprofit as director of family and community ministries. The collected socks were shared with families that came through the agency's toy shop before Christmas.    Kate presented the socks on behalf of the troop to Major John Aren, who is her uncle. Major Aren and his wife are the administrators of The Salvation's Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center on the north side of Chicago, where they were transferred after opening the new Salvation Army store in Canton in 2011.

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Salvation Army Kettles Out Until Dec. 31 in Farmington Hills

Select Kroger stores will host bellringers to help the nonprofit reach its fundraising goal.

Although most of the 400 red kettles left the streets on Dec. 24, you'll still see some bellringers working at select Kroger stores, including Farmington Hills, through Dec. 31. The Salvation Army continues to trail behind in donations to its annual Red Kettle Campaign, and the metro Detroit Kroger locations have offered to let bellringers continue to ring in an attempt to catch up. “Kroger continues to be a generous supporter of The Salvation Army, and we are incredibly grateful for all they do,” said Major Mark Anderson, general secretary and metro Detroit area commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “Although we are still approximately $300,000 behind, we’re confident that metro Detroiters will come together to help …

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Salvation Army Needs Bell Ringers in Farmington, Hills

The organization needs volunteers in a variety of areas to help families in need.

Last year, the Salvation Army Farmington Hills Corps brought Thanksgiving food baskets to 125 local families in need. This year, that number more than doubled, Capt. Marlys Anderson said.  "We have seen a growing need over the last five years, more than ever," the Farmington Hills resident added. Volunteers adopt families for Christmas through the agency, which also provides holiday parties for needy seniors and children, assistance with food, rent and utility bills. The Salvation Army also provides a toy shop for parents whose families were not adopted, so they can provide their children with Christmas gifts, Anderson said.  More volunteers are needed to adopt families and help with holiday events, as well as the Salvation Army's …

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Xemplars Hand 21 Checks to Farmington, Hills Organizations

The civic organization distributes more than $20,000 Wednesday.

The Farmington-Farmington Hills Exemplar Club presented checks to 21 local organizations, distributing more than $20,000 Wednesday at John Cowley & Sons in Farmington. The club's director of community relations, Richard Lerner, emceed the noon meeting, with Nancy Cook and club president Steve Joppich presenting the over-sized checks. In keeping with its motto, “Give back. Be Xemplar”, the organization raises funds during the year for local distribution. Their largest annual event is the Jon Grant Signature Classic, a golf tournament held in June. Groups receiving funds were: Boy Scouts Ottawa District  The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in…

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