Gift of Adoption
This national nonprofit celebrates its 20th anniversary this month by hosting 30 events in 30 days to raise awareness for National Adoption Month – and helping fund 30 adoptions, Michigan chapter board member Michele Oliveto says. “You don’t have to adopt to make an impact,” she says. Help kids find their forever families at the Final Mile Walk.
Event is 1-4 p.m. Nov. 6 at Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston. $35/adults, free/18 and under. Learn more: giftofadoption.org.
Food Gatherers
All year, these busy bodies strive to fill empty bellies and alleviate the consequences of lasting hunger. In late November, the Ann Arbor-based nonprofit hosts its Rockin’ for the Hungry food drive to shed light on hunger and encourage locals to donate food and funds at area Kroger stores – complete with live radio coverage by local station 107one at select times. The goal: Get enough food and funds to provide 750,000 meals to area families in need this season.
Donate Nov. 29-Dec. 4 during open hours of all Washtenaw County Krogers. Learn more: foodgatherers.org.
The Bottomless Toy Chest
Mickey Guisewite started this local nonprofit, dedicated to delivering toys and hands-on activities to hospitalized pediatric cancer patients and kids with serious blood disorders, after her 12-year-old son, Jack DeCerchio, was diagnosed with cancer. Now 21 and a healthy college student, DeCerchio lives cancer free. “I wanted to start an organization that could help empower children through the magic of toys in the same way I had seen them help my son,” Guisewite says. It now lifts the spirits of children in Michigan, Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania hospitals. Donate and mingle at the fourth annual Bottomless Bowl Fundraiser – or on Giving Tuesday.
The fundraiser is 6:30-10 p.m. Nov. 11 at 5 Star Lanes in Sterling Heights. $30/ages 13-plus, $20/5-12, free/4 and under (includes pizza, pop, three games, shoes). Learn more: bottomlesstoychest.org.
On Nov. 29, the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield hosts a toy collection for TBTC. Call 248-661-1000 for details.
