This service group has a building in the heart of downtown Royal Oak. It's a place where friends gather, fundraisers are planned and spirits are high. The FOE supports a variety of local charities. Members from Hazel Park, Royal Oak, Madison Heights and Clawson also get together on a regular basis for motorcycle rides.
Aid In Milan is a non-profit group aimed at helping people in need in the Milan School District area. Services include a food pantry, a group for special needs adults, information referral, Meals on Wheels, used clothing, medical equipment loans, crisis intervention and more. It takes about 50 volunteer hours a week, plus the work for a full-time employee to provide all of its services.
The River Charity Poker Lounge is Michigan's premier charity poker venue; it raises money for Michigan charities through entertaining gaming. You can play Texas hold 'em, craps, blackjack or roulette. It also has a restaurant that serves great-tasting pizza and hamburgers that you can enjoy while sitting on its outdoor patio. See the website for tournament dates and other news.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars dedicates itself to "Honoring the dead by serving the living." Various community events and fundraisers take place at the Bruce Post VFW on Jefferson. The banquet halls are available for rental for private parties such as weddings, graduation parties and family reunions. Facilities include an outdoor pavillion and a gazebo on the lake as well as three indoor banquet halls with capacities of 75, 150 and 300 people respectively. For information on activities and events for this local VFW chapter, visit the Web site.
Nu2U Resale is a non-profit thrift shop. It offers a number of items including furniture, accessories and home decorations. It also offers clothing and accessories for men, women and children, technology, appliances and silverware and more. It works through the Washtenaw Christian Academy and is owned and operated by Lou Zelker.
With house leagues for kids through adults over 40, recreation leagues for children and adults of different ability levels, and year-round classes, the Jewish Community Center Inline Hockey Center is the home of hockey in West Bloomfield Township. The IHC, located in the west wing of the JCC, also hosts drop-in hockey and birthday parties. It features a pro shop.
Housed in a historic downtown building, the Farmington Downtown Development Authority is headquarters for all downtown activities. The DDA manages four large events during the years: Art on the Grand in June, Farmington Area Founders Festival in July, Harvest Moon in October and Holly Days in December. The DDA is responsible for the Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market, which is open in the Walter E. Sundquist Farmington Pavilion and Riley Park from May through November. In addition, the DDA administers the Main Street downtown revitalization program, which marshals an army of volunteers who assisted in development of the Streetscape project and continue to promote the central business district.
The Salvation Army is known for many kinds of help throughout the country. In Shelby Township, its Family Store and Donation Center raises money to help others through their resale efforts of clothing and home items. You can find bicycles, television sets and other electronic items, dishes, shoes and many other items that people donate. The center is located just north of 23 Mile Road, off the east side of Van Dyke Avenue.
Jewish Family Services, or JFS, serves the Metropolitan Detroit area. It offers a wide array of services to the community. These include access to food, shelter, adoption, counseling and addiction recovery. JFS also assists with domestic violence victims, issues in housing, citizenship and car donations. The Executive Director is Norman Keane.
Stahl's Automotive Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and exhibiting vintage 20th century vehicles. The foundation operates an educational auto museum which features a 1930 American Austin, 1910 Buick, 1931 Chevrolet and 1946 Chrysler.
