Troy Times | Published May 27, 2023
Troy Meals on Wheels searches for volunteers
Western Oakland Meals on Wheels is searching for more volunteers to help prepare and deliver food to the numerous Troy seniors they help in the seniors’ homes and at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Road.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our Meals on Wheels program,” volunteer Cassidy Timo said in an email. “As a Meals on Wheels volunteer, it is much more than just a meal. Not only are you delivering a nutritious meal to a homebound senior, you are also delivering a warm smile and a friendly greeting to someone who may only be seeing you that day. Our seniors are able to remain in their homes due to the generosity and kindness of our many volunteers. … Volunteering once a week would be greatly appreciated!”
They are searching for volunteer drivers to deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors Mondays-Fridays, ensuring they have food for the day and allowing them to have contact with others who can make sure they are safe. Delivering would involve picking up the meals for the day at the Troy Community Center at 10:30 a.m. and then delivering to the seniors on a 60- to 90-minute route.
They are also looking for volunteers to work as greeters and servers for meals provided for seniors at the Troy Community Center between 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, as well as kitchen volunteers to prep meals between 9:30 a.m. and noon and pack meals between 7 and 8 a.m.
Those interested can call (248) 223-9160.
Troy preschoolers help plant new trees
ReLeaf Michigan, a nonprofit tree organization, in collaboration with the Troy School District, SavATree, and the DTE Energy Foundation, planted 20 trees at the Troy School District preschool in Troy May 6.
Students and members of the community came together to plant the trees and educate the young students on ecology. DTE donated the 20 trees of various types, SavATree dug the holes and donated site prep services, and more than 80 volunteers attended, including current and past preschool families, preschool staff, community members and representatives from five different tree planting groups.
“The trees planted will create a tree canopy for shade, improve the aesthetics of the new school, create an outdoor learning space, and provide a fantastic teaching resource,” said Troy Schools Maintenance and Operations Supervisor Larry Franckowiak.
“What a joy to see our community come together for something so close to our Preschool hearts, our connection to nature. These trees will provide learning opportunities and beautify our space for years to come,” added Preschool Director Erin Keyser.
Troy High DECA team places in national competition
In April, the Troy High School Distributive Education Clubs of America team had a record 42 students qualify to compete at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando.
DECA is designed to give high school students hands-on experience in marketing, business and entrepreneurship with the goal of preparing future leaders for successful careers in fields like marketing, management, hospitality and finance.
Nishit Palepu placed first in the business finance competition, Aleena Malik placed first in the marketing communication competition, Matthew Zhao placed second in the business services marketing competition, and George Perakis placed third in the human resources management competition. Students Ingrid Huang, Charlotte Worrel, Justine Perakis, Sanika Atmakur, Irene Oh, Harry Wang and Muhammed Qureshi placed in the top 10 for their events.
Within each category, students competed with around 150-200 other students in their respective events. The Troy High team competed with 22,000 DECA students from across the United States, Canada, China, Germany, Spain and Puerto Rico.