Oakland County community calendar Nov. 23 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Fundraisers/Charitable events

• National Collection Week of gift-filled shoeboxes is Nov. 17-24, to benefit Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. The public is invited to 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.

• Focus: HOPE is hosting The Giving Machine, in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nov. 19–Jan. 4 at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets at Entrance E (at Nike Store and Bass Pro Shops) in Auburn Hills, and Nov. 18–Dec. 7 at Campus Martius Park in Detroit. Visitors can purchase donations to support Focus: HOPE’s mission to help end food insecurity and build equitable opportunities for families in Metro Detroit, www.focushope.edu.

• Meijer announced it will donate the equivalent of one meal to local Simply Give food pantry partners for every Meijer brand, Frederik’s by Meijer, True Goodness, or Purple Cow food item purchased, from Nov. 23-29. Meijer customers can also contribute to the fight against hunger by adding a $10 Simply Give donation card to their order, https://meijercommunity.com/simply-give.

• 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, 3333 Coolidge Hwy., 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.

• The Bloomfield Township Police Department is hosting Holiday Charity Campaign-Gift Cards for Veterans. The police department is collecting gift cards to any major box stores and grocers to distribute to multiple Oakland County veterans and their families this holiday season. Gift cards can be donated through Dec. 18 at the front desk of the Bloomfield Township Police Department, 4200 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Twp., https://bloomfieldtwp.org/police.

• “Crafted in Kindness,” a handmade hat and mitten drive, at The Hawk Makerspace. Knitters, crafters can donate crafted items from Nov. 29-Dec. 20, which will then be distributed to older adults in need through the City’s Adults 50 & Better Division. Crafters will be entered for a chance to win prizes from The Hawk Makerspace. The Hawk Makerspace is hosting workshops to teach aspiring makers to sew fleece hats and mittens on Nov. 29, www.fhgov.com.

• To fulfill a holiday wish list in the Senior Secret Santa program, contact Teresa at 248-473-1826 or tjergovich@fhgov.com. Wrapped gifts must be dropped off at the Costick Activities Center at 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills by Dec. 5.

• Farmington Hills police and firefighter/paramedics are teaming up with Toys for Tots, through Dec. 16, donate unwrapped toys in the lobby of the Farmington Hills Fire and Police Departments on the campus of Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, www.fhgov.com.

Holiday activities

• Royal Oak Holidays Opening Weekend is Nov. 21-23, in downtown Royal Oak. With its merger with Royal Oak Winter Blast, festivities include The Rink at Royal Oak skating season opening, located in Centennial Commons, visits with Santa, mini carnival rides with a small donation to the Holiday Basket Food Drive. The Rink at Royal Oak is a collection site for The Bottomless Toy Chest. Royal Oak Holidays features five themed weekends of festive activities through Dec. 21, www.royaloakholidays.com.

• Visits with Santa are Friday-Sunday Nov. 21-Dec. 14, and daily Dec. 18-24, during Santa’s hours by walk-up only at The Village of Rochester Hills Outdoor Shopping Center, Festival Park, 104 N. Adams Road, TheVORH.com. Pet Night is 2-6 p.m. Nov. 23, guests are encouraged to bring their furry friends to The Village to take photos with Santa. Visits with Santa’s Reindeer take place 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 21.

• Annual Lagniappe event and Big Bright Light Show: 6-9 p.m. Nov. 24. Lagniappe, a Creole word for “a little something extra,” embodies the spirit of giving and appreciation, hosted by Rochester merchants. The program starts at 6 p.m. on stage on the crosswalk of W. 4th Street & Main, downtown Rochester. At 7 p.m., The Big, Bright Light Show will illuminate buildings downtown, followed by a fireworks display. Afterward, children can visit with Santa from 7:15-9 p.m. The Big, Bright Light Show will run nightly from 5 p.m. to midnight through Jan. 18. During the Lagniappe event, Main Street will be closed to traffic from Second Street to University Drive from 5-9:30 p.m. For information, visit www.downtownrochestermi.com/lagniappe.

• Holly Dickens Festival lighted parade is 6 p.m. Nov. 28, (includes a sensory-friendly portion). Festival continues 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 14, downtown Holly. Stroll the streets of historic Battle Alley, visit shops, enjoy strolling Christmas carolers, street performers, holiday lights, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, children may visit with Santa in the Tiny Tim Children’s Tent, Run like the Dickens Race is Dec. 6, register at www.hollydickensfestival.org.

• Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights take place on select dates Nov. 28-Dec. 30, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, on the campus of Oakland University, annual indoor daytime Holiday Walk, and the outdoor evening light show, featuring music and concessions, meadowbrookholidays.com, (248) 364-6200, ticket prices vary.

• Very Merry Brunch is held Nov. 28 and Dec. 22 in Meadow Brook Hall’s ballroom, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, brunch before exploring the three main floors of the mansion decorated for Holiday Walk, meadowbrookholidays.com, tickets are $75 each.

• Holiday House Tours and All Aboard! Model Railroad Exhibit are noon-4 p.m. Nov. 28-30 and select Saturdays, Sundays and weekdays in December, at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, buy tickets at the door, general adm. is $5/adults, www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms.

• Birmingham Santa Walk: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Nov. 29, walk with Santa, hot chocolate while supplies last 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Santa visits are noon-4 p.m. Nov. 29 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 30. Free horse Drawn Carriage Rides are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 29-30, Small Business Saturday activities, register for Santa Walk at www.allinbirmingham.com. Birmingham Winter Markt is Dec. 5-7.

• Holiday Tea & Tour: select dates Nov. 30-Dec. 21, in Meadow Brook Hall’s Dining Room, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, includes admission to Holiday Walk. Tickets are $85 each.

• Annual holiday lights celebration is 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 2, ceremony, tree lighting and 20-foot candle, carols, and Santa will arrive via fire truck at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, followed by free cookies and hot cocoa, and Santa visits inside Fire Station #5 on the campus of City Hall, www.fhgov.com.

• Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2, on the front lawn of the Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road, www.cityofsouthfield.com.

• Starlight Stroll: Dec. 3, Meadow Brook Hall’s ballroom, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, holiday elegance that includes live music, open bar, strolling dinner, and complimentary valet, meadowbrookholidays.com, tickets are $150 each.

• “Holly, History & Harmony”: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 9, at the historic Buhl Estate at Addison Oaks, 1480 West Romeo Road, Leonard, event includes an educational tour, live seasonal music provided by the Twelfth Night Singers, who will sing a cappella selections while dressed in traditional Renaissance attire, and buffet meal, $45/person. Register by Nov. 24. Call 248-858-0916 or reserve at www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events.

Holiday markets

• Festival of Trees is Nov. 22-23, (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., (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.

• Davisburg Christmas Market: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 23, at Springfield Oaks, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg, thebespokemarkets.com, $2 admission, www.facebook.com/groups/618971923690444.

• Holiday Market Pop-Up: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 23, Friendship Circle’s Soul Gallery, 5586 Drake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., featuring limited-edition, handcrafted items created by artists with special needs, 50% of the purchase price goes directly to the artists, and the other 50% is reinvested into the studio and its mission, shop online through Dec. 31 at https://gallery.friendshipcircle.org.

• 53rd Annual Elf Shelf Arts & Craft Show is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 29, at Troy High School, 4777 Northfield Parkway, featuring over 200 booths of handcrafted gifts, seasonal décor, jewelry, textiles, hosted by the Troy Women’s Association, (248) 988-0426, www.troywomensassociation.org, $3 donation at the door to benefit scholarships and local charities.

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.

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.