ROCHESTER, Michigan (10/10/22) – Where do you go for the perfect fall outing? One that combines a concert, silent auction, boutique shopping, raffles, complimentary valet parking and a luncheon with friends?

The answer, of course, is Mistletoe Marketplace, the 19th annual holiday fundraiser by Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, held at Palazzo Grande on Wednesday, November 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The entertainment will be a special guest performance by NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” contestants, the nationally acclaimed Detroit Youth Choir, with members age 8-18.

You will be able to bid on deluxe items, take part in raffles and shop while visiting with friends. Palazzo Grande is located at 54660 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township 48316.

Sign up online while there are still open tables at: https://alsm.cbo.io

For registration questions, please contact Tiffani Wolf at 269-599-3473.

Tickets are $90 per person. Funds raised benefit the chapter’s established philanthropic programs, which include Operation School Bell for school children, Wee Help for infants, Assault Survivor Kits for victims of abuse and Nourishing Neighbors for those with food insecurity.

ROCHESTER, Michigan (08/29/22) – For the first time in two years, more than 400 students ages pre-K to high school shopped in person at the annual Blast Off 2 School event at held Neighborhood House on August 13.

Now in its sixth year, the annual program is sponsored by Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan in partnership with Neighborhood House and Ascension Providence Hospital, all based in Rochester.

This year, 433 children shopped for themselves with the help of an Assistance League volunteer. Each child received a bag full of new necessities: socks, underwear, shirt, hoodie, hygiene kit and an age-appropriate book.

Neighborhood House also gave each student a backpack filled with school supplies.

Due to previous COVID-19 precautions in 2020 and 2021, only “contactless” shopping was allowed. Eligible families then picked up their child’s bags at curbside.

One youngster, Jackson, 10, was so excited that he kept pulling items out of his blue Assistance League bag to show his mother.

“I got a Minions toothbrush, underwear and socks!” he said. When she tried to get him to leave, Jackson said, “Wait, I’m not done showing you. Got a book, too!”

“Our goal every year is to ensure that these children have what they need to begin a new school year,” said Cindy Weber, the Southeastern Michigan chapter’s president. “It’s always a privilege for our organization to be a part of this.”

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s established Philanthropic Programs include Operation School Bell for school children, Wee Help for infants, Assault Survivor Kits for victims of abuse and Nourishing Neighbors for those with food insecurity.

ROCHESTER, Michigan (07/29/22) – Any young person moving out on their own needs certain essentials, but it’s particularly true for those who were raised in the foster care system as children, have turned 18 and are now adults.

It’s called “aging out,” the process of a youth transitioning from formal control of foster care toward independent living. In Michigan, approximately 13,000 children are in foster care, and about 1,600 young people age out every year when they reach their 18^th birthday.

That’s where Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan comes in.

Understanding what makes a house a home, the Michigan Assistance League chapter has collaborated with Big Family of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, to assist young adults beginning a new, independent life in a home, apartment or dormitory.

“These young people have had very challenging lives and deserve the best we can do for them. Thank you, Assistance League, for your generous donations,” said Sharon McCaughrin, president and CEO of Big Family of Michigan in St. Clair Shores.

Assistance League’s Aging Out co-chairs Dolores Barry and Violet Cholakian shopped for months, coordinating and assembling 20 duffle bags for young adults. Each bag contains new bedding, a bath set, and personal items in a women’s cosmetic bag or men’s dopp kit toiletry bag. Then, it’s delivered to Big Family.

“The bedding is nicer than anything I have ever had – and it’s mine!” said one 18-year-old woman who has benefited from the Aging Out program. “I do not have to share with my sister because she also received her own bedding.”

Both 18, they now live in their own apartment. One sister has a 4-month-old baby.

“We had so much fun putting the stuff on our beds, and we are thankful to everyone for making us feel so special,” said one sister.

“Our chapter touches the lives of so many people through our community programs, including Aging Out. We’re honored to give these young adults a head start as they begin their journey into a new life,” said Cindy Weber, president of Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.

In addition to Aging Out, Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s established Philanthropic Programs include Operation School Bell for school children, Wee Help for infants, Assault Survivor Kits for victims of abuse and Nourishing Neighbors for those with food insecurity.

 ROCHESTER, Michigan (07/07/22) – In collaboration with Neighborhood House Food Pantry in Rochester, Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan assembles about 200 Meal Kits per month for distribution to pantry clients and their families, as well as providing financial support to keep the pantry stocked.

As co-chairs of Assistance League’s Nourishing Neighbors program, Diane Ebinger and Sherry Davenport organize new recipes every other week to ensure that Food Pantry clients receive nutritious meals.

The Food Pantry provides families not only with canned foods, but also dairy and protein items, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even pet food.

“Helping to keep Neighborhood House shelves full is always part of the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s mission,” said Davenport, co-chair.

“Meal Kits are just one part of our Nourishing Neighbors program. The most significant impact Assistance League makes through this partnership is with monthly donated dollars dedicated to supporting the Food Pantry inventory,” she added.

Here’s more about the Meal Kits paid for by Assistance League:

• A typical Meal Kit may include everything to make Salmon Linguine.
• Inside, there is an easy-to-follow printed recipe, along with canned salmon, onion, garlic powder and pasta.
• No perishable ingredients are in these Meal Kits, but any fresh ingredients needed for the recipe (such as milk, eggs, butter) are available at the Food Pantry.
• Each Meal Kit serves six people.
• Families pick them up at Neighborhood House.

ROCHESTER, Michigan (05/24/22) – The goal of Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan’s annual Book Drive was twofold: to promote reading in the tri-county community and to make sure each child receives a new book – no matter what their age.

Sometimes it’s the first book they have ever actually owned.

After two months of tireless effort, Assistance League chapter volunteers collected nearly 1,700 new children’s books for the drive.

“A child who reads is a child who succeeds. Thank you to everyone who donated to this effort and reinforced this connection,” said Barb Roller, chair of the chapter’s Book Drive.

The books – for infants to K-12 grade levels – will be distributed through four of the chapter’s philanthropic programs: Operation School Bell®, Blast Off 2 School, One-2-One Tutoring and Wee Help.

Any remaining books will be donated to Catholic Relief Services, Toys for Tots and Rochester Hills Public Library.

Earlier this year, Assistance League prepared a “Wish List” of appropriate children’s books based on consultations with local librarians and the chapter’s Operation School Bell book chairs. Chapter volunteers collected books at the ReSale Connection in downtown Rochester until April 30.

ROCHESTER, Michigan (03/15/22) – Looking for a great way to help make a difference for children in our community? In an effort to help encourage children to read, consider donating brand newbooks, infant and K-12 levels, to Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan’s Annual Book Drive.

Assistance League volunteers will collect new children’s books only in a drop box at the ReSale Connection store (204 S. Main St. in downtown Rochester) today through Saturday, April 30.

Over the past several years, the southeastern Michigan chapter has collected over 35,000 books. The books are distributed to children through the chapter’s philanthropic programs: Operation School Bell®, Wee Help, One-2-One Tutoring and Neighborhood House. In addition, they also will go to local school libraries, The Children’s Center of Detroit and Alternatives for Girls.

“No matter what age, each child receives a new book to keep, whether it’s through Operation School Bell, our tutoring program or the Blast Off 2 School in August. After all of those books are distributed, the remaining ones go to schools and other agencies that service families,” said Luanne Offer, the chapter’s president. “The gift of reading lasts a lifetime and is priceless.”

Here are some ideas for book suggestions:

• Books showing ethnic and cultural diversity.
• Board books suitable for newborns, 6”x7” in size, which will be inserted in the layette packet that we send home with new mothers.
• Easy readers, especially Levels 1&2, for our tutoring program at Whitman Elementary in Pontiac.
• Picture and chapter books for first through third grades by authors such as Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Eric Carle, Mo Willems, Don Freeman, Dr. Seuss, Kevin Henkes and Dan Gutman.
• Chapter books through grade 12, such as biographies, autobiographies, National Geographic Kids Amazing Animals, sports, poetry books, mysteries, teen science fiction and historical fiction.

For more information, please contact Book Drive Chair Barb Roller at ReSale Connection by calling 248-656-0414.

ROCHESTER, Michigan (02/11/22) – Action Week’s Winter Warmup donation program begins today for Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan. The chapter will focus on the struggles among the homeless and others in the tri-county area by providing new warm socks and twin-size fleece blankets or throws.

The donation drive will run through Thursday, February 24.

Across the nation, 120 Assistance League chapters will focus on their own Action Week programs, including how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities.

“Many local shelters and warming centers report that winter in Michigan is especially brutal for those without adequate shelter and protection,” said Luanne Offer, president of the Michigan chapter. “Warm socks and fleece blankets or throws are two items in high demand and most useful.”

Here’s how the community can help with Winter Warmup:

Donations of new items only are requested. Also, only warm socks and twin-size fleece blankets or throws will be accepted.

Starting today at noon, donations will be collected at the ReSale Connection store at 204 South Main St. in downtown Rochester. This ends Thursday, February 24, at 4 p.m.

Store hours: Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday noon to 4 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Local shelters and warming stations will receive all donations.

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s established Philanthropic Programs include Operation School Bell for school children, Wee Help for infants, Assault Survivor Kits for victims of abuse and Nourishing Neighbors for those with food insecurity.

ROCHESTER, Michigan (01/13/22) – Those who believe angels walk among us also may agree that they can come bearing gift bags instead of wings and halos. And trays of cookies, too.

On December 18, a few of “Earth’s angels” from Assistance League^® of Southeastern Michigan dropped in on seniors at MediLodge of Rochester Hills. They delivered 58 personalized gift bags, cookies for the facility’s staff and residents, and a whole lot of brightened spirits.

Member volunteers Sani Dwyer, Lisa Fuson, Deb Cave and Joanne Wisniewski worked their pre-holiday magic at the skilled nursing facility on Walton Boulevard. MediLodge provides senior health care solutions such as long-term skilled nursing care, respite care and short-term rehabilitations.

“Residents were delighted to receive the unexpected holiday packages,” said Sani Dwyer, VP Philanthropic Programs for the Assistance League chapter. “At this time of year, but especially with COVID-19 isolation, it’s important for seniors in our community to know they’re always on our minds and in our hearts.”

Each gift bag included a monogrammed sweatshirt, sweatpants, socks, slippers and a handcrafted angel ornament. In addition, the group delivered a large tray of cookies for staff and residents with a gift card that read: “From your friends at Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.”

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s established Philanthropic Programs include Operation School Bell for school children, Wee Help for infants, Assault Survivor Kits for victims of abuse and Nourishing Neighbors for those with food insecurity.