SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Thanks to the community’s donations, the Shelby Township Giving Tree collected more than 2,900 items for Samaritan House.

HAZEL PARK — A Hazel Park nonprofit is lining up multiple initiatives this year aimed at reducing substance use among youth.

CLAWSON — Clawson seniors are working hard to better understand the nature of the technological world and its benefits.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Four County Community Foundation, in Romeo, announced its Spark Grant funding awards for the fourth and final quarter of 2024, including one that went to Eisenhower High School’s Science Olympiad team.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — These two volunteers were recognized for their 29 years of good deeds in St. Clair Shores. But they say they don’t do it for the recognition.

WARREN — When Heather Holihan was diagnosed on April 17, 2023, with stage 1B breast cancer, she underwent a double mastectomy and took a few months off work to focus on her recovery.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — The Kiwanis Club of Utica-Shelby Township partnered with Utica Community Schools for a food drive for the holidays.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Shopping for the holidays is hard enough, especially if you’re working with limited means. That’s where Shop with a Hero comes in.

EASTPOINTE — Eastpointe City Councilman Harvey Curley said that when he met former President Jimmy Carter, he wasn’t what he was expecting.

NOVI/FARMINGTON — “Thank you” was all a little boy from Farmington could muster after learning that the students at Novi High School have funded his wish to go to Disney World with his family through Make-A-Wish Michigan.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Gardeners Club braved the cold and morphed into winter warriors in low 20-degree temperatures to festively decorate Christmas pots along the brick path to Heritage Gardens at the Township Hall.

ROYAL OAK — Show off your ugliest Christmas sweater and give back on Dec. 20 at the Blind Owl, 511 S. Main St. in Royal Oak, for the Filthy Cares Adopt-A-Block Ugly Sweater Christmas Party.

FRASER — Few people would take a dip in a 38-degree swimming pool unless they had a good reason.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Township Fire Department recently raised $16,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

ROYAL OAK — Santa and his “Elf Squad” visited the Children’s Garden Room in the Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Dec. 4 to surprise the pediatric patients with presents and holiday cheer.

CLAWSON — Last year, Alyssa Depaolis and her two sons celebrated Christmas in a hotel room with just the three of them.

SOUTHFIELD — The Southfield Police Department is kicking off the holiday season with the Holiday Sleigh of Giving to spread cheer to families in need in the community. 

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Five Utica Community Schools students have had the opportunity to learn communication, computer and customer relations skills in a unique partnership between the school district and the Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Department.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The St. Clair Shores Firefighters Local 1744 is hosting a Night at the Races event to raise money for a good cause.

METRO DETROIT — Providing for kids at Christmas is already difficult, especially in the wake of leaving an abusive situation. The Butterfly Collective aims to lighten some of that burden with its Adopt-a-Family program.