Community Corner

Macomb Township Schools Rally Relief Efforts for Victims of Superstorm Sandy

Schools and students across Macomb Township are digging into their own pockets to assist recovery efforts on the East Coast.

With a wicked nor’easter now bearing down on areas that have yet to recover from Superstorm Sandy's first punch, schools across Macomb Township are organizing their own efforts to send some relief to the East Coast.

"Everyone witnessed the devastation unfold on TV," said Seneca Middle School teacher Tami Wilkowski. "Although we had heavy wind, power outages, and damage, it is nothing compared to what the people on the east coast experienced."

Wilkowski, along with student teacher Rob Liddell, have organized a hat and pop day at Seneca in an effort to raise money for the American Red Cross.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We can either shake our heads and hope for the best for these people, then switch channels on our remote, or we can do something about it," Wilkowski said. "We can try to make a difference. People pulling together for a cause is the very fabric our country was built on. I want to instill that sense of responsibility for our 'countrymen' with the students."

This Friday, students who make a $1 donation will be allowed to wear a hat and drink a pop during school. Those donations, along with the returnable money from the cans and bottles, will go to American Red Cross efforts to help victims affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At Sequoyah Elementary School, the student council has decided to donate $400 from its Halloween sucker sale for Hurricane Sandy relief, while Cheyenne Elementary School's student council will sell $3 color metallic chains with a sun charm from Nov. 26 to 30 for the same cause.

In the L'Anse Creuse system, L'Anse Creuse High School North is organizing a blanket drive for Hurricane Sandy victims, while L'Anse Creuse Middle School North plans to host a blood drive Nov. 20.

Other ways to aid Superstorm Sandy relief

Want to join the relief efforts? Make a financial contribution here https://donate.networkforgood.org/aol, or consider donating blood or platelets at a local blood drive.

The Red Cross is especially in need of donors with type O positive, O negative, A negative or B negative blood.

A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 (16 with parental permission in Michigan), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors age 18 and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Upcoming drives include:

  • Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – TRW 4505 West 26 Mile Rd Washington Township, MI 48094
  • Nov. 9, 1-7 p.m. – YMCA Mt. Clemens 10 North River Rd. Mount Clemens, MI 48043
  • Nov. 11, 8-2 p.m. – St. Isidore Catholic Church Hall 18201 23 Mile Rd Macomb, MI 48042
  • Nov. 12, 1-7 p.m. – Duncan Elementary School 14500 26 Mile Rd Shelby Township, MI 48315
  • Nov. 13, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. – Lutheran High School North Gym 16825 24 Mile Rd Macomb, MI 48042
  • Nov. 20, 2:30-8:30 p.m. – L’Anse Creuse Middle School North 46201 Fairchild Road, Macomb, MI. Donors can register online at www.redcrossblood.org using the sponsor code: lcmsn

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. Platelet donors should call 313-494-2788 to schedule an appointment.


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