Oakland County community calendar Nov. 16 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Community events

• Goodman Acker law firm is partnering with the Southfield Fire Department to host a community giveaway and safety awareness event aimed at reducing carbon monoxide poisoning incidents. The initiative will provide 500 Kidde carbon monoxide detectors to local families on a first come, first served basis, 10 a.m. Nov. 18, Southfield Fire Station, 24477 Lahser Road, Southfield, www.cityofsouthfield.com.

Fundraisers/Charitable events

• Volunteers are preparing to collect gift-filled shoeboxes during National Collection Week, Nov. 17-24, to benefit Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. People can pack gift-filled shoeboxes and deliver to a local drop-off location in Michigan. Drop-off locations and a step-by-step guide, How to Pack a Shoebox are at www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Samaritan’s Purse works around the world to help people in need.

• Free drive-through Holiday Food Pantry (first 250 vehicles) is 2-4 p.m. Nov. 19, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 13500 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park, hosted by the City of Oak Park with the Oak Park Chaldean Business Group, Forgotten Harvest, and local first responders, www.oakparkmi.gov

• Gleaners hosts free bi-weekly food distributions at two Oakland County office locations. The next distribution is 9-10 a.m. Nov. 20 at Oakland Hope (drive-up only), 20 E. Walton Blvd. Pontiac, and 9-10 a.m. Nov. 26, at the Oakland County Farmers Market, (drive-up only) 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford Twp., www.gcfb.org, 1-866-GLEANER (1-866-453-2637), https://pantrynet.org/mobile-distribution-events

• 104.3 WOMC Turn Up the Miracles Radiothon: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 20, to benefit Corewell Health Children’s, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Listeners will be asked to call 877-719-KIDS (5437) to donate or Text-To-Give: “WOMCKIDS” to 34984 to pay via Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal or credit card. During the last hour of the broadcast, The Red Tie Hour and Dinner will welcome registered guests to enjoy the broadcast and a special pre-dinner concert by award-winning country music artist Lauren Alaina at Sound Space @ Audacy Detroit located in Hockeytown Café. To register for The Red Tie Hour and Dinner, visit  bit.ly/2025RedTieHour. Sponsorships, including a pair of tickets for the Lauren Alaina concert and dinner, begin at $500.

• MSU Federal Credit Union invites the public to participate in MSUFCU’s annual Giving Tree, which benefits local nonprofits and youth throughout Michigan and Illinois. Those interested in participating have the option to select a tag from a Giving Tree at a branch location, purchase the gift listed, and return it to the credit union; shop via wish lists; or make a monetary donation at a branch through Nov. 22. For more information and to access wish lists, visit msufcu.org/givingtree.

• Jewish Senior Life to host “The Magic of Volunteers” fundraiser, 2-4 p.m. Nov. 23, at Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, featuring Magician Stuart MacDonald, refreshments, free valet parking, minimum donation of $75 per person and reservations are required at https://give.jslmi.org/events-homepage/event-jsl-lives-well-lived, 248-592-5062.

• Southfield Parks & Recreation invites the community to “Skate for a Cause” 5-6:50 p.m. Nov. 24, at the Southfield Sports Arena, 26000 Evergreen Road. Admission and skate rental are free with the donation of a non-perishable food item, to help support local families. A second Skate for a Cause event will also be held 5-6:50 p.m. Dec. 23, (248) 796-4620, www.cityofsouthfield.com/deaprtments/parks-recreation.

• The annual Mighty Gobbler 5K Run/1Mile Walk is 8-11 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, hosted by Lutheran Church of the Master, Troy. Pre-registration for the 5K is $37 through Nov. 25 and $32 for the 1M, and then fees increase by $5 November 26 and 27. Portion of the proceeds will benefit Micah 6 Community in Pontiac and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, two local non-profit organizations serving people in need. Runners are also encouraged to bring canned goods to help stock the food pantry at Troy People Concerned. To register, visit mightygobbler.com or call 248-643-0176 for information.

• “Coats for the Cold” Coat Drive is through the month of November, donations sought of new or gently-used, clean coats at one of the 95 drop-off sites around Oakland County. Look for the box with the “Coats for the Cold” Coat Drive sign on it and place your donation inside. Partners in this effort: Genisys Credit Union, Max Broock Realtors, Real Estate One, Christ Church Cranbrook, @1800SelfStorage.com, McKenzie Moving. For a list of drop-off sites, visit www.facebook.com/OCSOMichigan.

• Rochester and Rochester Hills announce a friendly food drive competition to support Neighborhood House, from Nov. 10 to Dec. 1. Rochester residents should drop off non-perishable food items at 400 Sixth Street in Rochester, while Rochester Hills residents should bring donations to 1000 Rochester Hills Drive in Rochester Hills, ranh.org.

• Easterseals MORC 10th annual Cheers Gala is 7 p.m. Dec. 5, at M1 Concourse Event Center in Pontiac,holiday fundraising event to honor donors and community partners, features strolling dinner, cocktails, a silent auction, a photo station, interactive gaming and casino activities, live entertainment, tickets are $150+ for general admission at www.cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/cheers.

• Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan’s 60th Annual Guild Gala is 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6, at Westin Southfield, 1500 Town Center, Southfield, www.deturbanleague.org, tickets are $100 for adults, $50 for youth.

Holiday activities

• Ferndale Underground Holiday Market is Nov. 15-16, (11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday) in the basement of the DOT parking structure at Allen and Troy Streets (one block west of Woodward) in downtown Ferndale. Admission is free. Donations of canned and/or dried food items or cash, collected for the Jingle & Mingle Food Drive, www.undergroundferndale.com.

• Holly Winter Market is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 16 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 30, at Venue One Eleven, 111 College Street, Holly, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7,  at The Vault, plus select dates in January and February, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568281307212

• Sing & Stroll Tree Lighting Ceremony is 5-7 p.m. Nov. 20, downtown Lake Orion, horse and wagon rides, fire pits with s’mores, community caroling (songbooks provided!), dance and musical performances, and welcome Santa. tree lighting at 6 p.m., followed by photos with Santa, and creating ornaments with Orion Art Center to hang on the tree, downtownlakeorion.org.

• Holiday Kick-Off “Light The Village” is 6-9 p.m. Nov. 21, The Village of Rochester Hills Outdoor Shopping Center, 104 N. Adams Road, annual fireworks display is at 7:15 p.m. and free visits with Santa are 8-9 p.m., giveaways, face painting, live holiday music and performances, free shuttle service to/from Van Hoosen Middle School is available starting at 5:30 p.m., TheVORH.com. Free visits with Santa are offered on select dates through Dec. 24, during Santa’s hours by walk-up only.

• Royal Oak Holidays Opening Weekend and Lighting of the Park is Nov. 21-23, in downtown Royal Oak. Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. Nov. 21. With its merger with Royal Oak Winter Blast, festivities include The Rink at Royal Oak skating season opening, located in Centennial Commons, the Royal Oak Holiday Market, Cookie Crawl, mini carnival rides and inflatables, live performances and visits with Santa, starting at 7:15 p.m. From 4-9:30 p.m., families who bring four canned goods or make a monetary donation to the Metro Detroit Youth Club’s (MDYC) Holiday Basket Program, will receive unlimited mini carnival rides and inflatables for their family. For a $2 donation to the food basket program, guests can receive free carnival rides and inflatable wristbands for up to two family members. The Rink at Royal Oak is a collection site for the annual toy drive for The Bottomless Toy Chest, www.royaloakholidays.com.

• Holiday Lighted Parade is 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21, downtown Northville, special Sensory Zone along Linden St., after the parade is the official tree lighting at Northville Town Square, www.northville.org/holiday-lighted-parade.

• Holiday Hoopla and Tree Lighting ceremony is 3-6 p.m., Nov. 22, at Waterford Township Hall, 5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford Twp. The Tree Lighting will take place at 5:40 p.m. Visit and photo opportunity with Santa, a reindeer visit, crafts, cookie decorating, and more, free outdoor event.

• Festival of Trees Cocktail Preview is 7-10 p.m. Nov. 21, The Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow, Rochester, strolling dinner, silent auction and a cash bar and chance to bid on holiday items before the event opens to the public, www.downtownrochestermi.com/festival-of-trees, $50+. Proceeds benefit The Big, Bright Light Show.

• Festival of Trees is Nov. 22-23, (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday), The Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow, Rochester, www.downtownrochestermi.com/festival-of-trees. Admission is free, proceeds benefit The Big, Bright Light Show.

• Arts & Greens Market is Nov. 22-23, Bogie Lake Greenhouses, 1525 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake Twp., (9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday), 18th annual event, partnership between Huron Valley Council for the Arts and the greenhouses, www.huronvalleyarts.org, free admission.

Library events/Book fairs

• Detroit Jewish Book Fair: Through Nov. 16, The J, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp., thejdetroit.org, free events.

• Baldwin Public Library used books and media sale is Nov. 15-16 (12:30-4 p.m. Nov. 16), at the library, 300 W. Merrill St., Birmingham, hosted by The Friends of the Baldwin Public Library, baldwinlib.org/friends.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents or $45 for non-residents. Senior citizen pricing on annual passes are available in-person at toll booths or park offices with ID as proof of age.

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

Seniors

• When Behaviors Change, How to respond to dementia-related behaviors program is noon-1 p.m. Nov. 17, via Zoom. To register visit jfsdetroit.org/hub or contact Beth Seelbach at 248-592-2655 or bseelbach@jfsdetroit.org.

Support resources

• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.

• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.

• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.