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.

METRO DETROIT — Lots of coins get dropped in the Salvation Army’s red kettles, but for 12 years one donation has stood out. On Dec. 2, a mysterious deep-pocketed donor dropped off a final gold Krugerrand coin at a Kroger in St. Clair Shores.

MADISON HEIGHTS — “No child without a Christmas” is the motto of the Madison Heights Goodfellows, a nonprofit that dates back at least to the 1960s, by one volunteer’s count.

ROYAL OAK — Safari Slumbers provides children in grades 2-8 a unique opportunity to spend the night in the Detroit Zoo and learn about the animals like never before.

WARREN — Warren Treasurer Lorie Barnwell and other city and county elected officials will partner with the Salvation Army for the Warren toy drive to collect new, unwrapped toys at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the MRCC Banquet Center.

ROSEVILLE — Members of the Knights of Columbus Holy Innocents-St. Barnabas Council No. 14213, including Bob Vaillancourt, left, and Chris Hilderbrandt, are providing a warmer winter for local children.

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The community is invited to help spread some holiday spirit and make Christmas magical for local families in financial need.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — This year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at noon on Dec. 14 at Resurrection Cemetery.

EASTPOINTE — Students from Forest Park and Pleasantview elementary schools went on a stylish shopping spree Oct. 17 when the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan brought its Operation School Bell program to Eastpointe Community Schools.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — An Indiana girl traveled to St. Clair Shores to donate her hair to make wigs for kids in need.