NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
NOVEMBER 15, 2023
candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
OPERATION SCHOOL BELL RINGS FOR STUDENTS BY MARIA ALLARD
allard@candgnews.com
WARREN — Late on the morning of Oct. 24, Westview Lower Elementary student Journee Garcia tried on a new winter coat while inside the gymnasium of the Neigebaur Administration Building Community Engagement Center. She gave it the once-over while looking in the full-length mirror and decided it was the right style and fit. Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan volunteer Tina Duspiva agreed. Then it was time to check out the socks, pick out a new book and add a hygiene kit to her shopping spree with Duspiva’s help. Garcia was among approximately 700 Fitzgerald Public Schools students who last month participated in the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s Operation School Bell program. For one day, volunteers transformed the Neigebaur gym into a temporary department store from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students from both schools were bused over to Neigebaur where they were paired up with a volunteer to shop for a new winter coat, two shirts, underwear, socks, a winter hat, gloves, toiletries and a book. The students carried their new purchases in a duffel bag, which was included in the shopping trip. Dar Laskowski, vice president of philanthropic programs for the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, said all the clothing is brand-new and purchased wholesale. “Fitzgerald is very appreciative,” Laskowski said. “It’s exhilarating. It’s so heartwarming to see the kids.” See SCHOOL BELL on page 13A
ABOVE: Third grade student Ja’den Jordan selects a hygiene kit during Operation School Bell Oct. 24 at the Neigebaur Administration Building Community Engagement Center in Warren. TOP: Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan volunteers Nicole Deyonker and Alex Alkidas help a student shop for a coat. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Salvation Army seeks bell-ringers for holidays BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The holiday season is upon us, and that means that the sound of Salvation Army bell-ringers won’t be far behind. The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is seeking volunteer bell-ringers for the 2023 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. The nonprofit requests the community’s support to help meet its $7.9 million fundraising goal. Each year, thousands of collection buckets are positioned in and around businesses to raise funds for those in need —
and each is accompanied by The Salvation Army’s signature bell-ringers. The organization hopes to fill more than 50,000 hours of bell-ringing shifts across hundreds of kettle locations throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Individuals and families can sign up as volunteer bellringers by visiting www.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 in the comfort of their own home. Virtual bell-ringers can sign up and begin raising funds at any time, whereas traditional bell-ringing begins on Friday, See BELL-RINGERS on page 13A
Photo provided by the Salvation Army of Metro Detroit