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Bring a Lunch, Play a Bunch

24 May

photo Bring a Lunch, Play a Bunch is the name of the Playworks Detroit healthy living campaign.  Playworks provides physical activity in Detroit area schools. This non-profit fundraises to place a recess coach in the school for the entire year. To get in the game, donate your lunch money. Whether it’s for one day or one week, children will benefit. Donors will receive a lunch bag with tips for healthy eating. The campaign runs until May 31st.  At Campus Martius on June 4th, Playworks and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will host lunch and recess for Detroit kids. To register, go to http://www.playworks.org/make-recess-count/play/detroit/2013-bring-lunch-play-bunch-campaign

Or call, 313-879-4934.

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Helping Others Dress for Success

17 Apr

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Clean out your closet on Saturday, April 20 through Saturday April 27 and stop by Destination Style Boutique in Southfield, or Lolly Ella and Be Free Apparel, both in West Bloomfield. These three local, fashion-forward stores have teamed up to support women in need and are hosting a clothing drive for Career Dress.

Career Dress, a volunteer program of Lighthouse of Oakland County has assisted more than 3,200 women since it began in 2003. While you are helping others, check out the great merchandise. The fun dresses are Destination Style Boutique, while the sporty stuff is from Be Free Apparel. The jewelry is from Lolly Ella.

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Motor City Missionary

14 Apr

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Motor City Missionary is the title of today’s lead story in the business section of the New York Times. It’s about Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans. Gilbert is investing his money and his spirit in the our city. He is buying up property and encouraging businesses to move downtown. He just purchased the Greektown Casino-Hotel. Today’s Huffington Post, Detroit also references this story.

Sure, the story mentions Detroit’s woes — our emergency city manager, Kwame, blight, etc., but the gist is a story about Gilbert and his vision.

Last month I visited Washington, D.C., and to my dismay there were two photography exhibits about Detroit featuring decaying buildings. Although the photography, by Camilio Jose Vergara and Andrew Moore, was technically superb, the exhibits were pessimistic.

Thanks to people like Dan Gilbert, our city is moving forward, and soon there will be positive photography exhibits about Detroit.

Photo credit: Fabrizo Constantini for the New York Times

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Game Changer on Detroit Playgrounds

30 Mar

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Playworks Detroit improves the health and wellness of children by increasing opportunities for safe, physical activity and meaningful play. Since 2010, Playworks has been changing the lives of youngsters through partnerships with low income schools and community initiatives.  Now in 13 schools throughout Metro Detroit, Playworks is expanding due to a new partnership with the Detroit Lions. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2013 Playworks Get in the Game Luncheon. The Game Changer Awards were given to these community partners: Beaumont Health System , Fair Food Network, Just Speak, Detroit Regional Chamber and Bloomfield Hills School District PTO. David McGhee, a motivational speaker and an instructor at Mott Community College, addressed the crowd with a powerful message of believing in students.

To quote Playworks Founder Jill Vialet, “Kids who know how to resolve conflict on the school yard are more likely to grow up into adults who can collaborate to get things done.”

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Mosaic is Sing-sational

14 Feb

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The Mosaic singers, of the Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit, are sensational. So it’s natural for them to perform Singsation.  On March 1 through 3, 2013 these young artists will honor some of Detroit’s iconic figures in Singsation. “In Singsation, Mosaic singers captures the heart of the city and keeps the feeling of funk and soul music alive,” says Mosaic Founder Rick Sperling. Expect fabulous dance moves, melodic harmonies and  soulful voices. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on March 1 and March 2 and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. The Mosaic singers have performed at the White House and with legendary artists. For more information go to http://www.mosaicdetroit.org

Mosaic reports that 95% of the young artists involved in the program graduate high school and go to college.

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Free Pancakes for a Great Cause

2 Feb

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Don’t miss out on National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 5th. All IHOP restaurants across the county will be serving free pancakes. In return IHOP requests that guests consider a donation for Children’s Miracle Network.  Beaumont Children’s Hospital is a designated Children’s Miracle Network hospital. All of the donations raised locally stays in the community to fund Beaumont’s exceptional pediatric programs  and provide treatment scholarships for families with limited resources. Some of the locations around town include: Royal Oak, Livonia, Sterling Heights, Roseville  and Birmingham. This is certainly a program to flip over.

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Unity in the Community

22 Jan

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For the last 19 years, the residents of West Bloomfield have come together to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Parents, teachers, students and community leaders all celebrated the    vision and dream of this dynamic leader. The event started on January 20th with a walk down Orchard Lake Road, and then the participants gathered in the West Bloomfield High School Auditorium for a program. The student leaders and community officials addressed the crowd echoing King’s sentiment of a dream filled with peace, unity and inclusion. Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hill was clearly moved attending his first United We Walk Celebration. “We are here to honor the life of Martin Luther King and how he has made a lasting impression,” said Hill.  The keynote speaker was David Merritt, a West Bloomfield High School graduate and fashion designer, who donates 20 percent of his revenue to fund college scholarships. Even the elementary students participated in the day. Their posters graced the tables at the entrance of the auditorium. This poster from Ealy Elementary school sums up the day perfectly — children from every race and religion holding hands.

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Sharing the Spirit of the Season

24 Dec

The generosity of Beaumont Health System employees is overwhelming.  Each of the three hospitals collaborated with charities to make sure children in need had presents for the holidays. At Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak the staff purchased presents for more than 280 children at the Judson Center, a Royal-Oak based nonprofit organization, serving abused and neglected children and adults with developmental disabilities. At Beaumont Hospital, Troy employees worked in the Adopt-A-Family program through Oakland County Services, serving families in Southeastern Michigan. At Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe bins were filled with toys, blankets, mittens and other winter needs for children and adults at LifeBuilders, a Detroit nonprofit that helps people struggling with unemployment, homelessness and addictions.

As Director of Community Affairs at Beaumont, I’m proud to belong to this caring, compassionate health system. Darlene Nikisic, shown in the photo, is part of the Community Affairs staff, and she coordinated the collection of gifts for the Judson Center.

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Leon and Lulu Hosts Thank You Party

15 Dec

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AIDS Walk Detroit held their thank you party for all walkers, volunteers and fundraisers who participated in the 2012 event at the Farmers Market in Royal Oak. The walk raised more than $200,000 to promote HIV prevention, education and services for those living with HIV/AIDS. Leon and Lulu, an eclectic boutique in Clawson, hosted the event. These charity events are de rigueur for this fascinating emporium. Leon and Lulu is the ultimate shopping experience for men, women, children and adults. There is something for everyone. From the $1.99 bangles (shown) to the stylish fashions to the whimsical home decor, this store is not to be missed. Even the space is a visual odyssey — it’s a former roller rink now bedecked with chandeliers.

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