Shelby-Utica News | Published May 10, 2023
Vince and Joe’s presents big check to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
METRO DETROIT — On April 25, owners of Vince & Joe’s, pictured from left, Salvo Munaco, Elisa Vitale and Mimma Vitale, presented a check for $55,000 to Kimberly Blackmon and George Allen, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The donation will support St. Jude’s research, treatment and prevention of pediatric diseases.
For more than a decade, Vince & Joe’s has been supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during its anniversary week with a campaign called “Bread, the Staff of Life.” A portion of the total comes from 50% of one week of sales of the Vince & Joe’s house-made Italian breads and customer donations at the registers. Vince & Joe’s reusable bags have the St. Jude logo on them, and a portion of all sales for both the reusable shopping bag and the insulated food bag goes to St. Jude as well.
After this donation, Vince & Joe’s has donated more than $150,000 in its history to St. Jude. This year’s donation of $55,000 is far more than any previous donation. Vince & Joe’s employees and the Vitale family are very proud of this year’s efforts, according to a press release, and the whole company looks forward to the fundraising campaign each fall.
Communities to celebrate Memorial Day, show military appreciation
SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — Shelby Township, its Board of Trustees and Phil Randazzo, the township’s veterans events coordinator and a decorated Vietnam veteran encourage the community to celebrate May as National Military Appreciation Month in the buildup to the township’s Memorial Day ceremony at 1:30 p.m. May 28 at the Shelby Township Veterans Memorial, pictured.
As part of National Military Appreciation Month, the township is partnering with the American Red Cross for an online portal at shelbytwp.org/veterans to donate to the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces. The township also encourages businesses and residents to fly the flag throughout May. At the shelbytwp.org/veterans webpage, people can find a full copy of the U.S. flag code with the rules for properly flying the flag.
“We have a lot to be proud of in our community but nothing more so than our history with so many residents having served or currently serving our country,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “Every time I walk by the Veterans Memorial on the way into township hall, I am inspired by their service.
“On the day of our annual Memorial Day service, it is emotional. Mr. Randazzo calls to mind the true nature of the sacrifice our fallen residents made and the daily sacrifice of everyone in our military and their families. I hope everyone can participate in Military Appreciation Month and makes it to our Memorial Day ceremony so they can share that experience.”
In Utica, the city will hold its Memorial Day ceremony at 2 p.m. May 28 at Memorial Park. The Marine Corps League Honor Guard will be the special guests and will perform a gun salute and taps. After the ceremony, refreshments sponsored by K’nickies Pizza will be served at American Legion Post 351, 46146 Cass Ave.
Free grant networking workshop May 19
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The second in a series of Grant Networking Workshops at the Oxford Public Library will be held on Friday, May 19, at the Oxford Public Library, hosted in partnership with Four County Community Foundation. Shelby Township is part of Four County Community Foundation.
Representatives from nonprofits and other grant-eligible groups can learn more about Foundation Directory Online, which is an online grant directory tool housed at the library, and have the chance to network and build potential partnerships with other nonprofit grant-seekers. The foundation and library partnered together in 2022 to make the FDO available locally. It gives organizations access to nearly 250,000 grant-making foundations through the U.S.
The Grant Networking Workshop will begin at 10 a.m. and include a light lunch. Subsequent events will take place Aug. 18 and Nov. 10. All events are open to nonprofit groups, regardless of their locations.
The library is located at 530 Pontiac St. in Oxford.
Those who plan to attend are asked to contact the foundation to reserve a seat. Call Four County Community Foundation at (810) 798-0909 or send an email to kdickens@4ccf.org.
Shelby Farmers Market to return May 20
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Farmers Market will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 20, on the front lawn of the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. The market will welcome new and returning vendors who will be selling produce, homemade crafts and more.
The market will take place rain or shine every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 14. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the market. For more information, visit shelbyfarmersmarket.org.