Charitable activities/Food donations/Fundraisers

• HAVEN is holding its annual Gift Give-Away, where survivors of domestic violence and their families can shop from hundreds of holiday gifts (at no cost) thanks to generous donations. Donations can be made at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2L3KGKOPNBPCA?ref=wlshare, through Dec. 8, donated gifts can be shipped to or dropped off at HAVEN of Oakland County, 801 Vanguard Drive, Pontiac, MI, 48341, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For volunteer opportunities, sign by visiting: www.Haven-Oakland.org/gift-giveaway-2024.

• Annual Whoville Christmas Party is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 3-6 p.m. Dec. 8, Shenandoah Country Club, 5600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, to raise funds to help local families in need, hosted by United Community Family Services/Chaldean American Ladies of Charity, www.ucfamilyservices.org. Attire suggested is Christmas PJs.

• Volunteers of America Michigan is hosting its annual Adopt a Family program. Adopt a family at www.voami.org/adopt-a-family, through Dec. 11. Gifts must be delivered to families by Dec. 21. For questions, call 248-353-4862 or emailaaf@voami.org.

• The Rainbow Connection Michigan’s wish-granting organization, in Rochester, is hosting its annual Toy Drive and Adopt-A-Family Program. Those interested in donating can find The Rainbow Connection’s gift guide at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/26ZNXA9Y0WYPA?ref=cmswemrununOSJjq2Be0pWpa. The adopted families will be invited to pick up the gifts Dec. 11-14.

• The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is holding its first-ever 12 Days of Ringing Challenge from Dec. 2-14, (excluding Sunday, Dec. 8) at red kettle locations, https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metrodetroit/12-days-of-ringing. To participate, visit any red kettle location in the metro Detroit area (Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties), take a selfie by the iconic Red Kettle and share on social media, tagging #12DaysOfRinging. For those in need, visit https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/location-search.

• The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit seeks volunteer bell ringers. Individuals and families can sign up to volunteer by visiting registertoring.com where they have an option to choose a traditional, two-hour session at a physical red kettle site or participate in a virtual bell ringing shift where they can raise funds from home. Individuals can donate money via an online kettle, Paypal, Venmo or physical red kettle, or at SAmetrodetroit.org, or by calling 877-SAL-MICH or texting GIFT to 24365.

• Toys for Tots toy drive, donations of unwrapped toys accepted through Dec. 16, at Farmington Hills Police and Fire Department headquarters on the campus of City Hall at the corner of Eleven Mile and Orchard Lake Roads.

• Guests at Parc Detroit, Experience Zuzu, and 220 Merrill are encouraged to bring a toy to benefit COTS Detroit, through Dec. 16. As a thank-you, guests will receive a complimentary Christmas dessert, COTSDetroit.org. Toys can be purchased from COTS’ Amazon Wishlist.

• The Birmingham Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys for its annual Toys for Tots Foundation toy drive through Dec. 20 at the city’s two fire stations, 572 S. Adams Road and 1600 W. Maple Road, and Baldwin Public Library, 300 W. Merrill St. and Birmingham City Hall, 151 Martin St. Unwrapped donated toys for all ages can be placed in Toys for Tots collection boxes at these locations. For more information, call 248-530-1906, toysfortots.org, bhamgov.org/fire.

• The Ghost of Dishes Past is 7-10 p.m. Dec. 20, First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac, 99 Wayne St., Pontiac, dinner fundraiser featuring dishes served in the Victorian England household of Charles Dickens, complete with period music and inspired 19th century refreshments, tickets are $50 with a portion to benefit Pontiac’s historic Oak Hill Cemetery, https://events.getlocalhop.com/the-ghost-of-dishes-past/event/aYMxi2rmcR.

• Christmas of Hope, A Benefit for Hurricane Victims is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Flagstar Strand, 12 N Saginaw St, Pontiac, www.flagstarstrand.com, ticket prices vary.

• Love In the Name of Christ of North Oakland County (Love INC), Lake Orion, is hosting a gift card drive through Dec. 23. ($25-$50 gift card denominations suggested). For locations to drop off boxes for card donations, visit Loveincofnoc.org, or call 248-693-435, or drop off 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Love INC, 1550 W. Drahner Road, Oxford.

• Gifts for All God’s Children, a faith-based nonprofit located in Rochester Hills, offers four ways to make a difference. Sponsor a Child-Choose a child and do the shopping for clothing, toys, books, and hygiene items. Make a Donation. Purchase from the nonprofit’s Amazon Wish List and ship Items to the workshop. Purchase items and send them to the workshop for packing and distribution, https://giftsforallgodschildren.org/christmas-outreach-program.

• The Furniture Bank of Metro Detroit is seeking donations of gently used furniture for families in need, especially smaller sofas, dining tables, and chairs that fit in modest-sized homes, items should be free of stains, rips, tears, and pet hair. Call 248-332-1300 to schedule a pick-up.

• Forgotten Harvest’s Hope for the Holidays meal distribution events take place through December in metro Detroit. Forgotten Harvest seeks monetary donations and volunteers to continue programs, www.forgottenharvest.org.Those in need of food assistance can visit www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food to find a distribution event nearby.

• Gleaners Community Food Bank seeks community help, through financial donations and nonperishable food donations, including canned meat, beans and vegetables, low-sodium soups, oatmeal, protein drinks, peanut butter and healthy cereal (avoid donating items in glass containers or any cooked leftovers), www.gcfb.org/give-now. Gleaners also seeks volunteers to for the winter season (January through March), https://gcfb.volunteerhub.com/vv2.

Education activities

• Bank of America is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Student Leaders summer internship program through Jan. 15. Students Leaders receive first-hand experience in serving their communities through a paid eight-week internship with local nonprofits. They also travel to Washington, D.C. for the national Student Leaders Summit. Apply at www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders and submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, guidance counselor or school administrator.

Holiday activities

• Cocoa and Crafts with Santa: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 7-8, families can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, make holiday crafts, play games, drink hot cocoa, at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, $9 adv., free for ages under 2, discount to Troy Historical Society members. Register at www.troyhistoricvillage.org.

• Holly Dickens Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7-8, and Dec. 14-15, downtown Holly. Stroll the streets of historic Battle Alley, visit shops, enjoy strolling Christmas carolers, street performers, holiday lights, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, children may visit with Santa in the Tiny Tim Children’s Tent, www.hollydickensfestival.org.

• A Holiday to Remember: Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15, (4—7 p.m. Saturday and Noon-3 p.m. Sunday) downtown Northville, holiday-themed activities, carolers and bagpipers, free horse and wagon rides Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, starting on Main Street by the clock tower. Santa House located in Town Square, www.downtownnorthville.com.

• Chanu-Con Chanukah Festival: 1-5 p.m. Dec. 8, Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 Lincoln, Oak Park, Kosher food, art and gift vendors, entertainment, children’s activities, free admission, donations welcome, www.congbethshalom.org.

• Santa’s Stable: 1-4 p.m. Dec. 8, High Vibe Trail Rides, 2471 Meadowood Lane, Milford, www.facebook.com/share/1XoiBtBwXh, features pictures with Santa and horses, pony rides for children, face painting, writing letters to Santa, cookie decorating and hot cocoa and coffee station. Proceeds benefit Camp Casey, a local nonprofit that provides cost-free horseback riding programs to children with life-threatening illnesses.

• Clarkston Holiday Lights Parade: 6 p.m. Dec. 14, starting at Renaissance High School Community Education Building, 6558 Waldon Road, Clarkston, proceeding to Main St., ending at Calvary Lutheran Church, 6805 Bluegrass Drive, www.teamrush27.net/community/holiday-lights-parade.

• Holiday Craft Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 14, at Oxford High School, 745 N. Oxford Road, Oxford, more than 120 booths, hosted by the Oxford leadership class, https://smetankacraftshows.com. Admission is $3, for ages 14+.

• Glenlore Trails-Aurora: Thursday-Sunday evenings, through Dec. 29, at 3860 Newtown Road, Commerce Twp., one-mile walk through experience, www.GlenloreTrails.com, ticket prices vary.

Library activities

• The Rochester Hills Public Library presents “The Conversation Project” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10, at the library, 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester. Registered Nurse Vicki Klanke explains how The Conversation Project can help every person’s wish for end-of-life care be expressed and respected, open to the public. Registration is required at calendar.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900.

• The Friends of Auburn Hills Public Library will be hosting a holiday used book sale, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 14, at Auburn Hills Public Library, at 3400 E. Seyburn Drive, Auburn Hills. For questions email to FAHPL3400@gmail.com, www.ahplibrary.org.

• Talkin’ Broadway Highlights the Musical “Wicked” is 2-4 p.m. Dec. 15, at West Bloomfield Township Public Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., https://wblib.org

Parks

• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks 2025 annual passes are on sale now, with a $5 discount to residents of the five counties they serve, for annual vehicle passes purchased through Dec. 31, 2024, $35 ($24 for Seniors 62+). The pass can be used to access all of the 13 Metroparks all year long. Additionally, 2025 passes can be used immediately, even before the new year. Starting Jan. 1, the 2025 Metroparks annual pass will again cost $40 for residents ($29 for Seniors 62+) or $45 for non-residents ($34 for Seniors 62+).

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

Support activities/Resources

• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.

• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 — call or text 800-231-1127.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.

• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.

— MediaNews Group staff