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January 3, 2019 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

INKSTER - WAYNE - WESTLAND

Christmas spirit

Inkster ‘Legends’ raffle helps

100 families celebrate holiday

More than 100 Inkster families enjoyed who help the group.
Christmas this year funded by the annual Smiley said that video of the raffle
Holiday Raffle of the Basketball Legends drawing and the packaging was taken by
of Inkster. Nick Jones, owner of Berta Vision and
“It was the best event ever, it was a Lawrence Simmons, owner of Low 14.
smashing success,” explained Founder S&F Foods in Romulus; Hungry
and Director Freddie Smiley of the Grand Howie's in Garden City and Laquita State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster), center, and a group of friends and volunteers
Giveaway prize drawing which took place Gordon who donated chicken from along with Director Fred Smiley, far left, shopped for toys and games that were pre-
Dec. 18 at the Sheraton Hotel in Romulus. Captain J's Chicken and Seafood in sented to 100 Inkster families by the Basketball Legends of Inkster.
State Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) Inkster provided food for the volunteers.
and friends did the toy shopping at Meijer “This was truly a community-wide
in Westland and the Golden Corral pro- function sponsored by the Basketball
vided lunch for the group who spent Legends of Inkster. There were over 300
hours selecting toys and gifts for the fami- kids in the 100 families that had a merry
lies. The shopping and giveaway was Christmas because of all of our efforts.
organized by Legends board member Thanks to all who participated and God
Larry Spencer, Smiley said. bless,” Smiley said.
“At 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, we Winners in the raffle included: Sal
picked up the UHaul and toys stored in Vassalio who won four tickets to see the
the storage space donated by Inkster Harlen Globetrotters; Mike Smith,
UHaul,” Smiley said. “Then the volun- Sabrina Lawrence and Chiere D. who
teers went to Kroger on Cherry Hill and each won four tickets to see the
Merriman where the store manager and Universoul Circus; Dwight Thomas who
his staff had shopped for Christmas din- won four tickets to see the Detroit Pistons
ner for 100 families. vs. The Toronto Raptors; Carlita Poydras
“I gave them a shopping list and they won a weekend stay at the Sheraton
boxed up everything except the dairy Hotel; Sal Vasslio also won four tickets to Members of the Westland John Glenn High School basketball team and their coaches
products, the turkeys, and other items the Henry Ford Museum; Myra and other student volunteers were on hand to help with packaging and distribution of
that would not fit in the boxes. We put Davenport won a Birthday Blast party for the holiday gifts and food to Inkster families.
those in large bags with handles provided 15 at the Romulus Athletic Center; Horton won dinner for two at the Texas Lounge in Inkster.
by Westland Texas Roadhouse,” he said. Antwan Caloway won a one-day stay at Roadhouse in Westland plus a bucket of This was the seventh year for the raffle
Volunteers from the Westland John the Marriott Hotel; Sal Vassalio also won spices; Brie Quantz won dinner for two at and donation of food and gifts for 100
Glenn and the Robichaud High School two racks of lamb from Fairway Meats in Detroit Urban Soul; Kathy Orr won din- Inkster families during the holiday sea-
basketball teams along with Westwood Detroit; Jerry Calhoun won two tickets to ner for two at Ford Garage; Gabe son
School Superintendent Dr. Stiles the Music Hall Theater; Jeff Carter and Henderson won dinner at They Say; Alisa “We couldn't do it without all those
Simmons helped package the groceries, Renee Bohabon each won two ReNue Orr Spann won dinner for two at Red who donate the prizes,” Smiley said,
along with all the Inkster Legend volun- Teeth Whitening treatments from Cherry Lobster and Andrew Dobbins, Jr. won the “we're very thankful for all the support
teers including the foster grandparents Hill Dental; Sal Vassalio and Green bonus prize, a dinner for two at Stardust for all these years.”

Kettles in need. “We can also fight for justice,” he
Sjogren noted respite care for families

said of The William Booth Legal Aid
FROM PAGE 1 Clinic of The Salvation Army.
Social media efforts and mainstream
Corps are seeking donations, as are lead- media after Christmas are also crucial.
ers in many other regions. Wayne- “ This past year, The Salvation Army of
Westland serves those two communities Metro Detroit was involved in providing
and Inkster, Romulus and New Boston. 2,577,524 meals and 622,610 nights of shel-
The Plymouth Corps covers Plymouth, ter for the homeless. The Salvation Army
Canton, Northville and Belleville. uses 87 cents of every dollar raised to pro-
The Salvation Army, founded in vide direct services to people in need
London, England, in 1865 by William and each and every day of the year.
He noted those with questions can call
Highly decorated Catherine Booth, is both a social service the Southfield divisional headquarters at
agency and a church. It feeds people,
City of Westland employees took the holiday decorating contest seriously works to address homelessness and addic- (248) 443-5500 to get help or additional
including mock fireplaces and ornate displays at their desks in an effort to take tion, empowers youth, and helps people information. He emphasized their servic-
the first place award. First Place winner in the Most Original category went to the work out of poverty. es aren't handouts but rather paths from
Probation office at the 18th District Court with a second place award to cubicle Disaster survivors get Salvation Army poverty and other ills to get people “pro-
number two. First place for Best Overall Display went to cubicle number four at help, and it also works against human traf- ductive and contributing to society as
city hall, above, and second place to cubicle number three at city hall. The sim- ficking, both labor and sexual, worldwide. well.”
ple but elegant winner was Karen Welling at Jefferson Barns and the WOW fac-
tor winner was the Westland Police Department with a second place award to a
Jefferson Barns staff member. To subscribe to The Eagle call 734-467-1900.