Metro Detroit

Spreading holiday cheer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Roy Feldman Like many other area high school sports squads, Fraser High’s football team gave back to the community this past year. The Ramblers, along with other teams at the school, played a Sept. 28 game that served as the centerpiece to Fraser’s annual Ramblers for a Cause charity fundraiser. Photo by Roy Feldman Like many other area high school sports squads, Fraser High’s football team gave back to the community this past year. The Ramblers, along with other teams at the school, played a Sept. 28 game that served as the centerpiece to Fraser’s annual Ramblers for a Cause charity fundraiser.

C & G SPORTS STAFF

There are many programs in the C & G coverage area that regularly participate in events that center on giving back to the community.

Here’s a list of just a few of the good deeds local squad did, or plan to do, in the coming months.

We searched our archives and contacted local coaches and athletic directors to compile our list. If your team has something on its schedule that is not listed, email sshanley@ candgnews.com, and we’ll add it to this list on our website.

Warren Mott girls basketball team: The squad is visiting senior citizens Jan. 12, 2013, at the St. Anthony Nursing Care Center in Warren. This is the second year the players and coach Pat Schmidt have visited the center. Players play games, bake cookies and make punch with residents.

Rochester Hills Stoney Creek and Rochester United hockey: On Nov. 24, the rivals met on the ice for Hockey against Hunger, and gave free admission to anyone who brought at least two cans of food for Gleaners Community Food Bank. The programs also accepted donations and raised 1,191 pounds of assorted canned goods and $949. The night provided 3,763 meals for the needy. 

Warren Cousino Cheer for Charity: The event, set for Dec. 22 at Cousino, is in its fourth year. Patriots cheer coach Tina Brown runs the show, which is a competitive cheer event in which all the proceeds are donated to a chosen charity. This year, funds will go to Angels of Hope — a family cancer foundation based in Macomb Township. Funds raised through the event average around $4,500 each year.

Warren Lincoln/Warren Woods Tower Red Out game: The boys basketball teams from the respective Warren schools will battle in the Red Out game at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at Lincoln. Funds raised will go to the American Heart Association. This is the third year of the event, according to Lincoln Athletic Director Vic Breithaupt. Fans of the visiting Titans will be asked to wear a red shirt in support of the AHA. The Abes raise money for the AHA the week of the game by selling shirts and paper hearts.

Royal Oak High and Berkley High football: The Ravens and Bears rekindled their rivalry Oct. 19 and, in the process, raised money for Mott’s Children’s Hospital, wearing specially made jerseys with the name of a loved one who has been affected by childhood leukemia.

Birmingham Seaholm volleyball: For the third year in a row, the Maples hosted Alzheimer’s Awareness Night, which focused on collecting money for the Alzheimer’s Association. Players also wore purple ribbons with the name of a loved one who has been affected by the disease.

Warren Regina basketball teams, hockey team: Warren Regina teams are once again adopting families with special needs children. Players and coaches have purchased gifts for the families and will drop the presents off prior to the Christmas holiday.

West Bloomfield High volleyball: The Lakers were busy giving back during their season, volunteering their time at Gleaners Community Food Bank in Pontiac Aug. 20. They also hosted Volley for a Cure Sept. 27 against Farmington Hills Harrison, where the ladies raised more than $200 through bracelet sales, raffles and bake goods to raise awareness for breast cancer and aid in research.

Bishop Foley’s girls basketball team: The Ventures are scheduled to play the fifth annual alumni game at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 at Foley.  Those attending the game will have an opportunity to donate handbags, purses and wallets to Handbags of Hope, which, according to its website, will “add 10 items of necessity.” Filled handbags will be delivered to domestic abuse, teen programs and transition housing throughout Michigan.

“This is the first year we’re doing it,” Foley coach Dave Joseph said. “Every year, we donate something, but it’s something I wanted to establish, along with the girls of Bishop Foley. It’s something that’s worthwhile, and something we look forward to.”

Grosse Pointe North and South soccer teams: The Norsemen and Blue Devils added a special twist to their rivalry game when they helped raise awareness and funds in a Wounded Warriors game Oct. 8. The players wore special uniforms with the names of wounded soldiers on the back.

Chippewa Valley’s football team: The Big Reds played in their third annual Military Night game back on Sept. 14, raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project charity, while honoring all active, retired and deceased military personnel. Chippewa’s team wore special camouflage jerseys in support of the troops during the game.

Fraser High athletics: Late September once again found the school participating in its annual Ramblers for a Cause event, which featured several sports teams raising funds for cancer awareness. Grosse Pointe North participated in the week’s signature event, the Sept. 28 football game at Fraser. The Ramblers wore pink jerseys honoring cancer survivors and victims.

Utica High and Utica Ford II’s football teams: The Chieftains and Falcons honored local law enforcement, firefighters and EMS workers in their first annual Hometown Heroes game on Oct. 19. Money was collected at the game, with the intent to set up a scholarship fund for students interested in pursuing those professions. Players wore special jerseys recognizing the first responders.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood girls golf: Greer Clausen and her teammates got involved in Birdies for Charity, in which American Junior Golf Association members secure pledges for birdies they make in tournament rounds. The Cranes made 33 birdies during the regular season, raising $1,016. The United States Golf Association then matched the funds raised.