Warren Weekly | Published June 27, 2023
Nominees sought for Residential Recognition Awards
WARREN — The Warren Beautification Commission is seeking “showstopper” homes to recognize as part of the annual Residential Recognition Awards program.
Residents are welcome to nominate their own home or the home of a neighbor. All nominees will be considered.
Those wishing to nominate a home should include the name of the nominated homeowner or renter, along with the address and ZIP code. The nomination deadline is July 20, and the awards dinner will take place this fall.
To nominate a home with a pretty property, a spectacular yard or a gorgeous garden, contact Marilyn at awards.wbc@gmail.com, or call (586) 925-9182. Nominations can also be made by sending a text message to that number.
VOAMI Operation Backpack underway
METRO DETROIT — Volunteers of America Michigan has already started planning for its 14th annual Operation Backpack for the 2023-2024 school year.
The back-to-school drive, which began June 19, collects and distributes new backpacks full of grade-specific supplies to children in low-income households.
Community members are encouraged to sign up to host a drive and begin collecting school supplies including pencils, notebooks, backpacks, folders, pens and crayons. The supplies will be used to fill children’s backpacks.
The community can help in the following ways: hosting a donation drive, sponsorships, shopping the related Amazon Wish List or the online store, donating directly, or becoming a sponsor or a “Backpack Buddy.”
For more information, visit voami.org/backpack or call (248) 945-0101.
Blood donors needed, incentives offered
DETROIT — The American Red Cross is looking for individuals to donate blood, platelets or plasma, and is offering incentives for those who donate. According to Red Cross representatives, all blood types are needed, especially Type B-negative and Type O-negative.
There are three ways to make an appointment: download the Red Cross blood donor app on your phone, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call (800) RED CROSS, which is (800) 733-2767.
To encourage blood donations, the Red Cross is offering incentives. Now through June 30, donors will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice and will be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package.
Donors who give July 1-11 will receive an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies
last. Details for both offers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June.
New Macomb Community College Foundation director named
MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb Community College recently named Diane Banks director of the Macomb Community College Foundation.
Banks will oversee all aspects of the nonprofit foundation, including fundraising, event management and general operations. Established in 1999, the Macomb Community College Foundation is a nonprofit organization that manages contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations to benefit Macomb Community College, including providing scholarships and tuition for students.
Banks has more than two decades of professional and volunteer fundraising and event management experience. She is an active member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals and currently serves on several nonprofit boards and committees, including the Detroit Zoological Society, Winning Futures and DRIVE One TechCenter.
Previously, Banks was executive director of Advancing Macomb, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and economic vitality in Macomb County. Prior to that, she worked as program director for Leadership Macomb where she developed an extensive network of community and business leaders.
She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from Central Michigan University. She is a lifelong Macomb County resident and currently resides in Washington Township with her husband, Mike, and two children.
Literacy ambassadors named
MACOMB COUNTY — On June 19, the Macomb Intermediate School District announced the Macomb County schools 2023 literacy ambassadors. The ambassadors are chosen based upon their dedication to support literacy in their districts.
In 2019, the MISD began a countywide, comprehensive campaign to promote literacy in Macomb County. Literacy ambassadors will be invited to participate and promote upcoming countywide events that encourage reading.
The following Warren/Center Line-area ambassadors were named:
Jackie Feldman, Center Line Public Schools; Jessica Crawford, Fitzgerald Public Schools; Heather Graef, Van Dyke Public Schools; Francesca Gough, Warren Consolidated Schools; and Susan Lawrence, Warren Woods Public Schools.