Friends,

Finally, the big week is here. And by that, I mean it’s my birthday today.

That’s right, I’m a Christmas baby. Well, nearly anyway. So, beyond the usual excitement of the season, I get to lump in my birthday and the ever clever, “Merry Birthday!”

People ask me how I like having my birthday so close to Christmas and I never know what to say. I’m tempted to ask them how they like being tall or old or a Lions fan, but that just seems snippy. So, I shrug and respond, “I like cake.”

For me, my birthday kicks off Christmas—it’s Christmas Eve-Eve. And it’s time to celebrate. Whatever it is you celebrate, or don’t, this season, know that I wish you all the best. Stay warm. Do something kind. Have fun.

Rebecca

City of Troy Giving Soldiers “Minutes that Matter”

In early 2019, the City of Troy became a drop-off location for Cell Phones for Soldiers, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services and emergency funding to active-duty military members and veterans. Since that time, the city has collected and shipped over 150 donated, used cell phones.

Cell Phones for Soldiers accepts recycled devices of any age or condition.  The organization then resells the valuable parts and purchases calling cards for our troops, so they can stay in touch with their friends and families, wherever they are in the world.  According to Cell Phones For Soldiers, to date they have stopped 15 million devices from reaching landfills—keeping out those harmful metals and plastics—and given more than 300 million minutes of free talk time to our troops.  They mail approximately 1,500 calling cards each week, helping our military stay connected with their family members.  Through their program Helping Heroes Home, they have also provided emergency aid for more than 3,100 veterans in need.

The City wants to let residents know that they should not throw old cell phones in the trash. They are made with components that are harmful to the environment. But those components are valuable to recyclers, which is how Cell Phones for Soldiers receives money. For every $5 they receive, Cell Phones for Soldiers can provide 2.5 hours of talk time. 

Newer, gently-used mobile devices are preferred, however, broken and outdated mobile phone generate revenue as well. Chargers and accessories are welcome but not necessary; keep those items together with the phone.  Please do not send instruction manuals.

To read more about Cell Phones for Soldiers, or to donate or apply for services, visit their website at cellphonesforsoldiers.com. You will also find information on their website about erasing your personal data before donating your device.  However, Cell Phones for Soldiers follows a high standard for wiping hard drives and devices, so your data is safe.

The City’s Cell Phones for Soldiers donation box is located in the Community Affairs office on the second floor of City Hall at 500 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy. Drop-offs can be made anytime during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pickleball Doubles

If your New Year’s resolution includes getting exercise and socializing, check out the new pickleball doubles for beginners through Fifty Forward.

The program runs for eight weeks and costs $39 for residents/$49 for non-residents. Play three games with three different partners with a ladder competition among individual competitors. Games begin Jan. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more details, click here.