Warren Weekly | Published December 19, 2023
Warren police, Warthogs shop with kids
WARREN — It’s the season of giving for Warren’s finest.
Warren police officers and members of the Warthogs motorcycle club went shopping for the holidays this month with around 200 area children.
Meijer and Walmart stores in the city of Warren hosted the events.
“Shop with a Hero” was a two-day shopping event where a different group of more than 60 children attended each event and shopped with a uniformed man or woman in blue from the Warren Police Department. The events were Dec. 5 at Meijer on Schoenherr Road north of 10 Mile Road, and Dec. 12 at Meijer on Mound Road, north of 12 Mile Road.
“Shop with a Hero is an excellent way for officers to connect with the community and help make the holiday season memorable for all the participants,” said Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer.
“Wish With a Warthog” was a similar event held by the national motorcycle club that includes law enforcement officers, first responders, lawyers and a judge, said Nick Chakur, a member of the group for nearly 20 years. The event was held Dec. 7 at Walmart on 12 Mile Road at Van Dyke Avenue. The kids were given a $150 gift card for Walmart and the family was provided items to make a holiday meal, according to Chakur.
“Most of the kids, we find, just don’t normally shop for themselves but their siblings and even their parents. They kind of spread it around,” said Chakur. “It means a lot to them.”
Dog gone it
WARREN — Local residents were able to have pictures of their dogs taken with Santa on Dec. 9 at Gardner White’s flagship store in Warren. Gardner White and the nonprofit Michigan Humane joined forces to coordinate the dog-friendly Christmas photo shoot. The event was free to the public.
Giving ‘bank’
WARREN — For the 11th consecutive year, Bank of America employees volunteered with the Salvation Army’s annual holiday meal program, Bountiful Boxes. On Dec. 6, at the Salvation Army Warren Corps Community Center in Warren, they packed thousands of food boxes for local individuals and families in need.
The Salvation Army’s “Bountiful Boxes” program is supported by a $50,000 grant from Bank of America. The meal boxes consist of ingredients for a variety of meal options and will be delivered to neighbors in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Troy man wins F-150, gets keys at Warren Menards store
WARREN — Daniel Bise of Troy got the keys to a brand-new Ford F-150, valued at more than $63,000, during a prize ceremony at the Warren Menards store on Van Dyke Avenue Dec. 5.
Bise was selected as the grand prize winner after registering for the Menards October 2023 Sweepstakes promotion. The vehicle was awarded on behalf of Menards and Owens Corning, one of its vendor partners.