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Large sum raised to benefit foster care, adoption, mentoring services
METRO DETROIT — Child Safe Michigan, an affiliate of the Judson Center, a human services agency, raised nearly $350,000 at its 2023 Legends of Tomorrow gala June 9 at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, according to a release.
The fundraiser benefits Child Safe Michigan’s foster care, adoption and mentoring services for neglected and abused children in Southeast Michigan.
“Child Safe Michigan is an award-winning agency that has made a difference in hundreds of young lives,” Judson Center President and CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster stated in the release. “We are committed to improving the lives of children and families in our community, and providing a safe, nurturing home environment is extremely important to a child’s growth and successful transition into adulthood.”
For more information, visit childsafemichigan.org or judsoncenter.org.
Volunteer drivers sought for Meals on Wheels
WEST BLOOMFIELD — According to West Bloomfield Township’s website, volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers are needed in the township.
“Not only do our volunteers deliver meals to our homebound seniors they also deliver a warm smile and a friendly greeting,” the site states.
According to the website, a route usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half, and the pick-up is at 9:30 a.m. at the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation facility at 4640 Walnut Lake Road.
“Our seniors are able to remain in their homes due to the generosity and kindness of our many volunteers,” the site states.
For more information, call Lucy at (810) 632-2155 or send an email to info@lwmow.org.
Charity softball tournament scheduled
FARMINGTON HILLS — The city of Farmington Hills is partnering with Farmington SAFE — Suicide Awareness For Everyone — to present a coed softball tournament 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Founders Sports Park, which is located at 35500 W. Eight Mile Road in Farmington Hills, according to a press release.
Members of the community are invited to sign up for a team or cheer on their favorite group, the release states.
Farmington Hills City Council member and SAFE Founder Ken Massey organizes the tournament.
With a theme of “Let’s Talk About It,” Farmington SAFE brings together community members, leaders and mental health experts to remove the stigma surrounding depression and provide a connection to available resources, according to the release.
Anyone interested in getting involved can attend Farmington SAFE meetings at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Farmington Hills City Hall.
Festivities are set to begin with a flag ceremony performed by the Farmington Hills Fire Department honor guard.
All entry fees and additional funds raised benefit Farmington SAFE and the Graham E. Smith Memorial Fund, according to the release.
The fee to register is $375 per team, and it includes food and drink tickets.
For more information, visit fhgov.com or call (248) 871-2500.
Food Truck Tuesdays return
WEST BLOOMFIELD — A variety of food options will be available for local residents on Tuesdays through Sept. 26.
Food Truck Tuesdays are scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the tent between the West Bloomfield Township Public Library and the Recreation Activities Centre, at 4640 Walnut Lake Road.
According to West Bloomfield Township’s website, it is an event series organized by West Bloomfield Township, the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, the West Bloomfield Police Department and the parks department.
Residents warned about debt collection scam
METRO DETROIT — According to a press release, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is alerting Michigan residents about fraudulent letters directed to workers and businesses.
The letters attempt to collect an outstanding debt and are part of a scam that fraudulently identifies the sender as the State of Michigan, according to the release.
While the sender uses the “State of Michigan” throughout the letter, the scammer may be seeking to unlawfully collect a debt that is owed to the Unemployment Insurance Agency or the Michigan Department of Treasury, which functions as the state’s debt collection agency.
In the scam, residents or employers are informed of an overdue state debt that requires immediate payment through a toll-free number to resolve the outstanding balance.
The recipients are threatened with seizure of their bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, real estate, refunds and cash if past due debts are not paid. The letters use personal information that can be gleaned from internet records to make their sources sound legitimate and make the threats more likely to result in payment.
“But these letters are not from the State of Michigan, the UIA, or the Michigan Department of Treasury,” the release states. “Workers and businesses should note that any letters from the Department of Treasury will be printed on Treasury Department letterhead and will also provide options for paying the debt, as well as outline taxpayer rights. Letters from the UIA will contain information about how to protest and appeal payment determinations. Letters from Treasury or the UIA will always include the names of departmental leadership at the top.”
The purpose of the letter is not just to fraudulently secure payments, but information provided to the sender could also be used to commit identity theft, according to the release.
Anyone with questions about their state debts should call the Treasury Collections Service Center at (517) 636-5265.
The UIA customer service number is (866) 500-0017.
The phone number for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team is (517) 335-7599.
