Charitable Events and Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

Give back to the community during the holidays by participating in these local donation drives and other events.
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Photograph by Gustavo Fring, courtesy of Pexels.com.

With all the shopping, tree trimming, decked out halls, and seasonal stage shows, the holiday season can be a lot of fun for many, but for others, it brings financial burdens and added stress.

These local charitable events work to give back to the community and offer an opportunity for those who can help out to spread a little cheer and support those who aren’t as privileged this time of year.

Merry Magformers: Buy, Get, & Give

Magformers, a 3D magnetic toy brand that is headquartered in Plymouth, is supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit by donating a matching set with every purchase of a TileBlox 20-piece Rainbow Set and/or a Designer Carnival 46-piece set. magformers.com.

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelter Event

Looking to adopt a family pet? This event offers pet adoption at a reduced rate to help local animal shelters make room for more homeless pets. Adoption fees are just $25. Dates vary by shelter. Various animal shelters in Metro Detroit; bissellpetfoundation.org.

Big Top Toy Drop

105.1 The BOUNCE will collect toy donations to benefit the Pure Heart Foundation and their mission to help kids of incarcerated parents break the cycle. Cash donations are welcomed and will be matched by Northwestern Technological Institute and the Detroit Lions. Dec. 8-10. Macomb Mall, 32233 Gratiot Ave., Roseville; 1051thebounce.com.

Spirit of Giving Gala

This black-tie affair benefits Pathways to Hope, which offers mental healthcare, fostering programs, and other support for area youth. The event features live music, food, cocktails, and an awards ceremony. Dec. 9. $200. MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 3rd Ave., Detroit; franklinwright.org.

NGS Wrapping Party

Detroit City Football Club’s largest supporter group, the Northern Guard, hosts this event to benefit Freedom House Detroit, a non-profit that helps to support asylum seekers on their journey to safety. Purchase gifts off the Amazon Wishlist or come to the party to help wrap gifts for Freedom House residents. Dec. 10. Detroit City Clubhouse, 3401 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; facebook.com. 

57th Annual Guild Gala

The Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan hosts this annual event, which celebrates area youth and goes to benefit Urban League’s College Club, Project Ready, and Workforce Career Development Center programs. Dec. 10. $75. The Westin Southfield Detroit, 1500 Town Center, Southfield; deturbanleeague.org.

17th Annual Winter Clothing Drive to Benefit Vets

This yearly event, which is sponsored by Goodman Acker in partnership with the Plymouth-Canton Vietname Veterans of America, collects clothing, towels, pillows, pillow cases and more to support the Michigan Veterans’ Foundation of Detroit. Monetary donations also welcome. Drop your donations off in the bins outside the front door at Goodman Aker by Dec. 12. 17000 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield; goodmanacker.com.

Dine to Donate

Public House, Pop’s for Italian, One-Eyed Betty’s, and Tigerlily in Ferndale will donate 10% of your bill to Affirmations, a non-profit that supports the local LGBTQ+ community. Dec. 13. Various locations, Ferndale; facebook.com.  

Toys for Tots Mustang Raffle

Purchase a ticket for your shot at a restored 1970 Ford Mustang Mach. All proceeds go to support the national Toys for Tots Foundation. Drawing will be held on Dec. 15; myevent.com/toysfortots

Euchre Tournament

Euchre players can help support the Friends of the Brighton District Library at this tournament, which is sponsored by the Brighton Optimists Club. Limited to 40 players. $20/entry fee. Eternity Brewing, 4060 E. Grand River Road, Howell; brightonoptimist.org. 

Haven Home of Detroit Volunteer Days: Holiday Edition

Haven Home was founded in 2021 as a safe haven for women leaving human trafficking or prostitution, or who are facing homelessness or home insecurity. They’re looking for volunteers to help clean up after construction. Dec. 17. Detroit; havenhomesofdetroit.org.

Toy Drive

The Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Association is collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys to support The Bottomless Toy Chest. Those who make a donation will be treated to hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting kits. Donations collected through Dec. 18. The Rink at Royal Oak, 221 E. 3rd St., Royal Oak; chevydetroit.com

 Did we miss an upcoming charitable event? Tell us about it on the comments so we can add it to our list.