Friends,

One of the best parts of being City News editor is I get to see all the good we humans do for each other around the holidays. From toy and canned food drives to charity events and volunteering opportunities, my heart is happy.

I’ve always loved the giving time of year and I’m trying to instill that spirit of generosity into my kids year-round. I had them help me donate to the Macomb Foster Closet, which gives foster kids two free wardrobes each year. I love this charity for several reasons. There’s no middle man. Our donations go from our trunk to their shelves. We are helping children in our area. And my kids are adopted. Luckily, they didn’t spend any time in foster care, but it’s a path many children have to take.

What are some of your favorite charities? Why? Let’s see if we can get a shout out to the ones that mean the most to us. Together, we can make an even more caring community.

Rebecca

Help Wanted: Firefighters

Ferndale is currently seeking firefighters—aka superheroes, lifesavers, educators and general doers of awesome things. Firefighters are first responders, combating and extinguishing fires; performing rescues, hazmat responses, and life support functions. For more information, qualifications, and to apply, check out this site.

Shop Offers Jewelry Made by Local Artisans

Elaine Jager, founder and owner of Elaine B. Jewelry in Ferndale, is an artist first and a jeweler second. The Charlottesville, Virginia, native trained in metal material studies and apprenticed with a master jeweler, but she was also a glassblower who worked part-time in her family’s restaurant business.

“I was always an artist,” Jager said. “Jewelry just became a way to make a living with my art.”

Pistons Night with Parks & Rec

The Ferndale Little Eagles Basketball teams will play at the brand-new Pistons Performance Center on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. After, take a free shuttle to Little Caesars Arena to cheer on the Detroit Pistons as they face the Chicago Bulls. This package includes a discounted ticket, a post-game shot on the court for each person and the Pistons will donate $5 back to Ferndale Parks and Rec for each ticket sold from this offer. Purchase tickets online here.