Shelby-Utica News | Published December 19, 2023
Deadline nears for Shelby Township Giving Tree
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Township is hosting a giving tree that allows the community to participate in an Amazon wish list to purchase items for the Samaritan House food pantry. The pantry operates with 15 churches in Shelby Township and other communities.
Wish list items will be shipped to Township Hall and will be delivered to Samaritan House in January. Residents can also purchase items and place them under the Township Hall Christmas tree at 52700 Van Dyke Ave.
The collection begins Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 21. Visit shelbytwp.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/20449 for the link to the list.
Samaritan House only accepts food items that have not expired and have expiration dates printed on them. Samaritan House does not accept glass containers and prefers standard-sized items.
State representatives introduce plan regarding civil asset forfeiture process
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — State Reps. Doug Wozniak, R-Shelby Township, and Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, have introduced a plan that they say would ensure that funds seized through the civil asset forfeiture process are properly reported and spent on improving public safety.
Civil asset forfeiture was established so criminals would not profit from their crimes. Law enforcement is allowed to confiscate property including cash, homes and vehicles that they believe to have been used in, or gained through, a crime. The law enforcement agency can then keep or sell the property and use the proceeds for public safety purposes.
House Bills 5382 and 5383 would clarify the procedure for handling civil asset forfeiture funds. The plan would require these funds to be processed the same as other revenue through the treasurer of the unit of government involved in the forfeiture. Funds would then be set aside for public safety purposes through that local government’s budget process.
“Our plan brings greater clarity to the civil asset forfeiture law by refining the process and limitations for its use,” Wozniak said in a press release.
Looking for Pistons fans
DETROIT — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Pistons have kicked off the fifth annual #MIKidsCan Pistons Kids Day Sweepstakes. A total of 25 Michigan kids ages 7-12 will be selected to spend the day as a Detroit Piston during Kids Day at the Pistons game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 20, 2024.
The sweepstakes offers kids an opportunity to get an in-depth look into various front office roles and responsibilities, and experience working with a staff member for the day. Parents can enter their children in the #MIKidsCan Pistons Kids Day Sweepstakes until Jan. 5 at nba.com/pistons/pistons-kids-day.
Library bookstore holds sale
STERLING HEIGHTS — The Friends of the Sterling Heights Public Library’s Used, But Sterling Bookstore is holding a Craft Book Sale throughout December that offers a 50% discount on craft books. The bookstore is located at the Sterling Heights Public Library, 40255 Dodge Park Road. Its typical hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. However, the store will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 2, 2024, for the holidays. Learn more by visiting sterlingheights.gov/1235/Bookstore or by calling (586) 446-2646.
Application period opens for $40,000 Kresge Artist Fellowships
METRO DETROIT — Local artists are invited to apply for a 2024 Kresge Artist Fellowship. Kresge Artist Fellowships will increase from $25,000 to $40,000 and the number of fellowships will increase from 20 to 25 in 2024.
Artists residing in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties can apply online for the no-strings-attached prize through Jan. 18. There are no exceptions to the deadline. Applicants should review the latest application guidelines at kresgeartsindetroit.org before applying.
Applications available for 2024 Bank of America Student Leaders program
METRO DETROIT — Bank of America is accepting applications for the 2024 Student Leaders program through Jan. 17. The paid eight-week summer internship allows metro Detroit students interested in community engagement to connect with tools and resources to make a positive difference, according to a press release.
Each year, the program connects more than 300 high school juniors and seniors from nearly 100 communities across the United States to employment, skills development and service opportunities with local nonprofits. Students also travel to Washington, D.C., for the national Student Leaders Summit to see how nonprofits, governments and businesses work together to try to meet local needs.
The application must be submitted by the Jan.17 deadline or through the online link by the end of the day Jan. 18. Prospective Student Leaders can apply online at bankofamerica.com/studentleaders.
More than 50 businesses participate in student-led career fair
STERLING HEIGHTS — Senior Skylar Mack and junior Valerie Vinson, of Henry Ford II High School, worked for more than a month to attract more than 50 companies to the school’s second annual career fair.
The fair was part of their DECA career development project. DECA is a program for students interested in business. Known only as DECA today, it once stood for “Distributive Education Clubs of America.”
Jennifer Milke, the school’s DECA adviser and marketing teacher, said the businesses were enthusiastic about what the students put together.
“It’s important because students don’t realize all the careers that are out there for them,” Milke said in a Utica Community Schools press release. “Sometimes they wait until they’re out of high school to figure it out, but it’s never too early to look at careers.”
Zachary Waldorf, who graduated from Ford II in 2017 and is now an engineering designer with General Motors, joined the career fair for the second year in a row and hoped to inspire students to think about their future careers.
“I wish we did this (when I was a student),” Waldorf said in the press release. “It’s always enjoyable to see the kids and what’s coming for the future.”