Events

Westland Community Foundation Golf Outing

Westland Community Foundation in partnership with Westland Chamber of Commerce present

1st Annual

C h a r i t y
GOLF OUTING

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center 8768 N. Territorial Rd., Plymouth 48170

9:00 SHOTGUN START Registration starts at 8:00

The proceeds from the outing will benefit the Westland Community Foundation and Westland Chamber of Commerce.

Westland Community Foundation is focused on Enhancing Westland's civic, educational, and cultural communities and has granted over $1,000,000 in funds (includes matching funds) to organizations such as:

Family Resource Center Empty Bowls Program to feed the needy
Lincoln-Jefferson School Health Clinic which provides basic health services to underprivileged students and their families
Respite Relief who provides short-term care to families of autistic adults and children
Wayne Westland Salvation Army summer camp program, food bank and toys at Christmas time
Westland Community Foundation scholarship program for Westland students with a financial need
Inspire Theatre which provides culture to the young and adults in the community
John Glenn High School Planetarium renovations

By supporting the Golf Outing, you are supporting our community!

Click Here to learn more about 1st charity golf outing and about how you can Sponsor this event.

Call Beth at the Foundation office - 734-495-1200 or Kiersten at the Chamber office - 734-326-7222 to register or for more information.

March Lunch & Learn - Healthy Yard Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Watershed with Annette DeMaria, P.E. PMP

For residents of Plymouth, Canton, and Westland, we are part of the Rouge River watershed. The Rouge River watershed encompasses 48 communities throughout SE Michigan serving 1.35 million people. It’s a critical regional resource for recreational opportunities, wildlife habitats, and even drinking water.

We are connected to the Rouge watershed through our storm water runoff and storm drain systems. Things we do at our homes and yards drain directly into the watershed. Practicing healthy habits in your yard helps filter pollutants before they reach the watershed.

As spring approaches, Annette DeMaria, Executive Director of the Alliance of Rouge Communities, will provide tips for homeowners to keep a beautiful yard while reducing their impact on the watershed. Topics to be discussed include alternatives to household chemicals, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and proper disposal of pet waste.

We hope you will join us for this free Lunch and Learn event at the Plymouth District Library on March 15th at 11:30 am.

About our Speaker:

Healthy yard Annette DeMaria Ms. Annette DeMaria, P.E., PMP is a principal engineer with 25 years of experience at Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc., and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC).

Ms. DeMaria’s entire career has focused on the restoration of the Rouge River watershed. Her experience includes municipal storm water permitting, green storm water management, water quality monitoring, beach sanitary surveys and project management. She oversees municipal storm water permit compliance for more than 20 Michigan communities.

Ms. DeMaria is a registered Professional Engineer (MI) and a certified Project Management Professional.

DETAILS:
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 • Plymouth District Library (223 Main St., Plymouth)
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
FREE (however, registration is required)
Register here online or contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200.

Civility Project - Lunch & Learn Update

Detroit journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson founded The Civility Project in 2020 to bring people with opposing viewpoints together and teach them the tools to have civil conversations, explore civic discourse without animosity, and learn how to listen productively.

The last decade has been one of the most politically and emotionally divisive in American history. Confrontation happens when civility breaks down, and it’s more important than ever for Americans to be able work through disagreements in a respectful, productive manner.

On February 7th at Westland City Hall, The Civility Project discussed tools to stay civil in these times of discord and extreme opinions. Thank you to all who attended.

The Civility Project was presented by Westland Community Foundation , part of Local Impact Alliance.

Here are pictures from the event, video of the conversation is now available available on the website of https://localimpactalliance.org/.

Click to watch

Image Gallery

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://localimpactalliance.org/events/page-4#sigProId69b0c311b8

The Civility Project - Lunch & Learn

Welcome to the winter line up of Lunch & Learns.

We invite you to bring your lunch and feed your mind!

The Civility Project - Lunch & Learn

with Nolan Finley & Stephen Henderson

civility project Americans are at their best when they can talk with one another, disagree, even argue — but agree to keep the dialogue going. Unfortunately, too many people today feel like they can’t do that. Instead they avoid speaking to people with whom they disagree. The Civility Project is changing that. Civility is defined as “formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.” It’s a process of treating one another — regardless of different opinions, perspectives or political leanings — with respect and kindness. It’s about listening to another viewpoint, even if you don’t agree with it, searching for the humanity behind a perspective or stance. If you’ve never had the opportunity to attend a Civility Project session (or even if you have), we hope that you will plan now to join us for this amazing experience with these two giants of Michigan journalism. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:

• Agree to disagree

• Learn to listen to other sides

• Engage in civil conversation

• Use what you hear too challenge or affirm your own views

• Build respect for each other’s humanity

• Stay curious

DETAILS:

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 — Westland City Hall Ballroom, 36300 Warren Rd., Westland, 48185 11:30-1:00

FREE (however, registration is required)

Contact Beth Meade at 734-495-1200 to register

About Our Hosts:

Celebrated journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson have been longtime friends, despite their different perspectives on pretty much everything. The one thing they agree on is the importance of their friendship — which includes a healthy does of disagreement and mutual respect.

finleyn

Nolan Finley began his newspaper career as a copy boy at The Detroit News while a senior in college. After a brief stint with the Jackson Citizen Patriot, Finley returned to The News as a reporter. In 2000, he was named Editorial Page Editor, where he directs the expression of the newspaper’s editorial position. He is also the co-host of One Detroit on PBS. In 2012 Finley was inducted in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.

Hendersonn Stephen Henderson is an American journalist who won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and the 2014 National Association of Black Journalists “Journalist of the Year” award while writing for the Detroit Free Press. Since 2015, Henderson has hosted Detroit Today on WDET. In 2020, he founded BridgeDetroit, where he serves as Executive Editor.

How High School Students Are Filling the Local News Void - Lunch & Learn

Local news coverage, particularly at smaller local newspapers, is in the midst of a long financial crisis. As local news coverage has declined precipitously due to consolidation, declining budgets, and shrinking news staffs, communities like Canton, Plymouth, and Westland are not receiving the local media coverage they have in the past.

Plymouth-Canton's Educational Park student-run public station, WDSP-FM, 88.1 the Park, is working to fill that void. The high school students at 88.1 the Park have made a renewed investment in local news and community profiles with the goal of becoming the local media source for the community.

Join us on January 18th to learn more about how this student-led radio station is successfully filling the local news gap.

This is a FREE event, but we ask that you register so that we have enough seating

Details:

When: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: Canton Administration Building - First Floor Board Room
1150 Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48187

Cost: FREE (but we do ask that you register so we have enough seating)
Please bring your lunch or something to nibble on.

About Speakers

Anuya Shetty is currently a junior at Canton High School. She serves as the News Director for WSDP, 88.1 the Park.

Avneet Pandher is a Salem High School Junior. She currently serves as the Public Affairs Director at WSDP.

Together, these two amazing young women co-host the K-Poppin' Show which spotlights the latest K-Pop music from artists. Both Anuya and Avneet joined the team at WSDP as freshmen.

Bill Keith has been the Station Manager at 88.1 the Park since October 1991. Under his leadership. WSDP was named "High School Station of the Year" 11 of the past 21 years. The station has also been a four-time national finalist for "Non-Commercial Station of the Year." You might also run into Bill on the weekends at Livonia's Trinity House Theatre where he volunteers as a board member and the concert coordinator for the listening room.

A graduate of Canton High School, John Kreger is the P-CCS Assistant Station Manager at 88.1 the Park and helps lead the station's news and sports programming. John is also the color commentator for Detroit City FC, play-by-play host for MSU volleyball and broadcasts high school games for the MHSAA Network.

Here is the video of the Lunch & Learn

How to Prevent Elder Fraud - Lunch & Learn

Thank you to Pam Sargent and Kristin La Forest of Community Financial Credit Union for speaking on How to prevent Elder Fraud as part of December Lunch & Learn.

Elder fraud is on the rise and has resulted in over a billion dollars in losses in 2021. The attendees learned about scams targeting older adults, what to do if you are a victim of fraud, and how best to protect yourself and your loved ones.

The event took place at the Canton Township administration building on 12-14-22, 11:30-1:00 pm.

Next in the series of Lunch & Learn:

• January: How Public Radio Is Filling the Local News Gap - January 18th

• February: The Civility Project - February 7th

• March: Healthy Yard Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Watershed - March 15th

If you have questions, call 734-495-1200 or log into https://localimpactalliance.org/

Here are some pictures from the event.
If you were not able to attend, a recording of the discussion can be watched below

Lunch & Learn - Preventing Elder Fraud

Image Gallery

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://localimpactalliance.org/events/page-4#sigProId92a2f8c30e

Winter Social Update

Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle

Winter Social Update

On November 30th, 41 Giving Hope ladies came out for the long-awaited return of our Dixboro General Store Christmas shopping event. Brenda, owner of Dixboro General Store, and her crew did an amazing job making the store look like a Christmas wonderland! They were very generous with their time in assisting our guests with their shopping ... and our ladies know how to shop! We spent $4000 (and that's after the 20% off Brenda gave our guests).

As we shopped, sipped and socialized, we supported The Rainbow Connection through our Pass the Purse. Our in-person collection totaled $550 and another $1100 was collected through on-line donations. The Rainbow Collection's mission is to make wishes come true for Michigan children with life-threatening medical conditions. They also provide support services to eligible "wish" families in need.

As always, thank you to all of our volunteers - Karen Hanchett, Jackie Jossey, Becky Hurst, Dianne Neihengen, Dian Slavens and Debbie Maloni - for helping with set up, clean up and serving cookies and wine. Also, thank you to Sharon Filips, Denise Murray and Maureen Visser for greeting our guests at the sign-in table.

Next Special Event

Our next special event is tentatively set for Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at the Village Arts Factory. We are planning to support MOD Market. They may even set up a pop-up shop for our guests to purchase handmade items.

Merry Christmas Wishes and Happy 2023 New Year!

Raeann Neil

Special Events Chair

Image Gallery

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://localimpactalliance.org/events/page-4#sigProIdf836805b55

Preventing Elder Fraud - Lunch & Learn

Preventing Elder Fraud

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Statistics show that an increasing number of people, in general, are falling victim to scams. Part of the problem is that scammers are highly adaptable and can mimic legitimate communications from romantic partners, tech support staff, and government employees. One group particularly affected by this issue is the elderly. Those homeowners with healthy financial savings, good credit scores, and a trusting nature often prove to be attractive targets for scammers.

Elder fraud is on the rise and has resulted in over a billion dollars in losses in 2021. Learn about scams targeting older adults, what to do if you are a victim of fraud, and how best to protect yourself and your loved ones.

We hope you will join the conversation Wednesday, December 14th.

Details:

When: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: Canton Administration Building - First Floor Board Room

1150 Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48187

Cost: FREE (but we do ask that you register so we have enough seating)

Please bring your lunch or something to nibble on.

About Our Speakers:

Pam Sargent has been with Community Financial Credit Union for 7 years and currently works as a Fraud Investigator. She started her career as a teller, working the front line at the Plymouth branch. She quickly became interested with the fraud part of the business and worked her way to her current position by mentoring in the department. Pam's passion is to assist members who have been victims of fraud and to provide education in this area.

Kristen LaForest is the Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator for Community Financial Credit Union. Kristen travels around the state providing educational programs in the schools and communities that CFCU serves.