​Last week’s response to Clinton Township’s participation in a Toys For Tots campaign and a drive-through food collection has exceeded expectations.
 
At one point, during the Toys For Tots challenge with Mount Clemens, toy donations filled an entire meeting room at Township Fire Station #4. Combined, Township fire and police departments collected more than a thousand toys. The final tally was comparable to the amount collected in Mount Clemens, but actual numbers are not available.
 
“The bottom line is that children who might not receive a Christmas gift, will get one, and that is what matters most,” said Township Supervisor Bob Cannon. “I’ve been encouraged during this past week.  Driving around, it appears to me that there are more Christmas light displays on homes, and I’ve seen a greater response to the charities that help people in need,” he said.
 
All last week, residents dropped off food donations at the Township Civic Center. Last Friday, Parks & Recreation Department staff loaded two dozen recycling bins, filled with food, into a van for delivery to the Macomb Food Program, where staff will distribute it to those in need.
 
Cannon is grateful for the tremendous response to the Toys For Tots contest and the Township’s Drive-Thru Food Drive. “Despite all the gloom with the pandemic, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. No matter what, some things can’t dampen the Christmas spirit,” he said.

Vaccination for COVID-19 is the path forward to controlling the disease and protect Michigan residents. This guidance outlines the strategy for vaccine prioritization for the State of Michigan and will be used by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), as well as public health and health care, as they allocate and administer vaccines. This guidance may change as information evolves and more vaccine types become available.

•  Phase 1A includes paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities.
• Phase 1B includes workers in essential and critical industries, including workers with unique skill sets such as non-hospital or non-public health laboratories and mortuary services.
• Phase 1C includes people at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions, and people 65 years and older.
• Phase 2 is a mass vaccination campaign for all individuals 16 years and older.

 It is important to note that vaccination in one phase may not be complete before vaccination in another phase begins. There may be vaccination of individuals in different phases that occurs simultaneously. The timing of the start of vaccination in a phase is dependent on the supply of vaccine from the manufacturer, how vaccine is allocated from the federal level to Michigan, and the capacity to administer the vaccine to populations.

On Monday, Dec. 14, an individual from Michigan called the FEMA Regional Watch Area (RWA) to inquire if FEMA, through Facebook, asks residents to send gift cards. In exchange, FEMA sends financial assistance through Cash App. NOTE: FEMA does not use or require gift cards for assistance and does not send money via Cash App. Most likely, the person was attempting to conduct fraudulent activity. The caller pretending to be a FEMA employee has been reaching out to people online with the same offer of federal assistance. ​

​CLINTON TOWNSHIP – The Wreaths Across America ceremony is similar to other national events that recognize the United States military in May and November, with one significant difference. Unlike Memorial Day, first observed in 1868, and Veterans Day, with its 100-year tradition, Wreaths Across America came into existence in 2007, 15 years after holiday wreaths were first donated and placed on the graves of soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
 
On Saturday, December 19, at noon, Clinton Township will hold its tribute to Wreaths Across America at the American Veterans Memorial section of Resurrection Cemetery, located at 18201 Clinton River Road, in Clinton Township.
 
"Wreaths Across America is about remembering our fallen U.S. veterans, honoring those who currently serve, and teaching our children the values of freedom," said Township Supervisor Bob Cannon.
 
Cannon will welcome dignitaries attending the event, following opening remarks by event organizer Karene Straffon. Guests include Doug "Odie" Slocum, Brigadier General (Ret), USAF, and Gold Star family members Mike and Carol Lilly, parents of SGT Joe Lilly, who died in 2012 in Afghanistan during active duty Operation Enduring Freedom. 
 
Christina England will sing the Star-Spangled Banner, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 will lay a wreath dedicated to the Michigan POWs and MIAs at the Vietnam monument.
 
Resurrection Cemetery invites the public to events hosted throughout the year on Memorial Day, Patriots Day, and Veterans Day. For more information, call 586-286-9020 or visit www.mtelliott.com/veterans-day. 

The winter stonefly is one type of insect that you will most likely find! The Clinton River Watershed Council conducts stonefly searches to gauge the health of our streams. When you sign up to volunteer, you will join a small group of other volunteers to search a selected stretch of stream for stoneflies.
 
Stonefly ID Virtual Training
January 16, 2021
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Online Zoom Training
Registration is required!
Email: katie@crwc.org
 
Stonefly Search
January 30, 2021, 9 a.m.
Teams to be coordinated beforehand to abide by social distancing guidelines.
Registration is required!
Email: katie@crwc.or

A free virtual event by the Clinton River Watershed Council
January, 6, 2021. 7 to 8 p.m.
Homeowners have a responsibility to protect water quality year round.
Attend this science driven presentation to learn simple steps you can take at home during cold months to protect water quality.
To register for this free event, visit www.htlibrary.org
Hosted by the Harrison Township. Public Library

CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Township officials are offering a safe and easy way for area residents to donate to the Macomb Food Program.
 
“By holding a food drive, we’re helping our residents help those who are less fortunate,” said Township Supervisor Bob Cannon. “Despite the pandemic, we have a great response to our drive-through events at the Civic Center. We’ll post directional signs leading to an outdoor collection area, so people can drive up, drop off, and be on their way,” he said.
 
Food donations can be left at the Civic Center from Monday, Dec. 14, to Thursday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday, Dec. 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Clinton Township Civic Center, located at 40700 Romeo Plank Drive, is south of Canal Rd. next to the Clinton Macomb Library. The Clinton Township Civic Center, located at 40700 Romeo Plank Drive, is south of Canal Rd. next to the Clinton Macomb Library.
 
According to the Macomb Food Program web page, suggested food items include canned tuna fish, canned meats, beef stew, meat or hearty soups, canned spaghetti or pasta, dry or canned kidney, pinto, green, yellow, refried, or black beans, canned fruit, rice noodles, macaroni, powdered milk, pancake or baking mixes, cereal, oatmeal (including single service sizes), granola, protein bars, peanut butter, jelly (in plastic jars).
 
For more information about the food drive, contact the Supervisor’s office at 586-723-8093.
  
About the Macomb Food Program
The Macomb Food Program provides immediate relief to those in need of food through a network of more than 50 pantries and hunger relief organizations. The program supplies food at no cost to ensure pantry shelves are stocked and operates as a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization (mca.macombgov.org/mca-es-food).

CLINTON TOWNSHIP – Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon has wholeheartedly accepted a friendly challenge from Mount Clemens mayor Laura Kropp to see which municipality can collect the most toys for the Marine Toys for Tots program.
 
Each year, Toys for Tots distributes Christmas gifts to less-fortunate children. The program was founded in 1947 and is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 2020, the toy collection for the program is far below numbers from last year. Since its inception, Toys for Tots has distributed 584 million toys in support of 265 million children.
 
“The challenge to help bolster Toys for Tots donations is a great idea,” said Cannon. “I’m pleased to report that our bin at Fire Station 4 is almost full, a testament of the generosity of Clinton Township residents.”
 
The Clinton Township-Mount Clemens Toys for Tots challenge will accept donations until December 19. Dropbox locations include the Clinton Township Police Department, located at 37985 S. Groesbeck Hwy., and the Clinton Township Fire Department, Station 4, at 42601 Romeo Plank Rd.
 
In addition, Township residents will soon have an opportunity to help feed Macomb County residents in need by donating to the Macomb Food Program.
 
“Despite the pandemic, we have a great response to our drive-through events at the Civic Center,” said Cannon. “Beginning the week of December 14, we’ll have a drop-off spot ready to accept food donations.”
 
Cannon said more details of the food drive would be forthcoming next week. For more information, contact the Supervisor’s office at 586-723-8093.
 
Photo CTFD, from left: Firefighter Ryan McCuen, Firefighter Rob Kokko, Chief Tim Duncan, Firefighter Adam Simon

Photo CTPD, from left: Chief Fred Posavetz, Officer Dave Holdwick