ORION-OXFORD Fundraising Events Recap Week of 4/29/24

by orionontv | May 8, 2024 | Community Event, Feature Writers

METAMORA/ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Two fundraising events happened this past week as Camp Oakland’s Run For The Roses and Genisys Credit Union and OLSHA’s Walk for Warmth took place on Thursday, May 2, and Saturday, May 4 respectively.

On Thursday, May 2, in anticipation of the Kentucky Derby on May 5, Camp Oakland – a non-profit which focuses on at-risk children identified by the juvenile system – hosted its first Run For The Roses, a horse-racing themed fundraiser.

The fundraiser took place at the White Horse Inn in Metamora, a perfect venue for the event. Approximately 80 people – staff, donors, community partners, etc. – attended and took part in a buffet-style dinner, several raffles and betting on pre-recorded horse races.

Susan Hollady, the Board Chair for Camp Oakland, talked with ONTV’s Joe Johnson Thursday about the camp and the event.

“This is all about the kids, we’re a residential facility for the youth that have gotten in trouble with the law and are asked to come to our campus in Oxford for schooling, therapy, counseling, and get them back on the right path. We have a girls’ program and a couple of boys’ programs to give them the skills that they need so that they can be successful,” Hollady said.

Founded in 1951, Camp Oakland – founded in Oxford – supports these at-risk youth year-round.

“Our mission is to give every child a chance, so this is a way for us to raise some funds to give them the tools, the techniques, the things that they need so that they can be successful,” Hollady said.

On Saturday, May 4, approximately 500 people gathered at Canterbury Village in Orion Township to participate in the annual Walk For Warmth, hosted by Genisys Credit Union.

In 1964, the Oakland Livingston Health Services Agency or “OLSHA” for short, was founded as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” OLSHA supports Oakland and Livingston county residents’ needs for alleviating family and personal poverty.

On that Saturday, Genisys Credit Union hosted the Walk For Warmth to help OLSHA get the fundraising they need.

The morning started off with music and speeches, then the participants gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commence the start of the walk.

Jackie Buchanan, President and CEO of Genisys Credit Union, spoke to Joe Johnson Saturday morning about the event.

“This is an event that we do every year and it supports OLSHA and we raise money all-year-round at Genisys to help heat the homes of our needy friends and neighbors,” Buchanan said. “We’ve probably been doing this for at least 20 years.”

Theresa Doan, the director of Social Responsibility for Genisys Credit Union, remarked on how much they have raised for OLSHA.

“We’ve raised I think close to $30,000 dollars for this organization,” Doan said. “This venue has been a huge gift to this event and to this organization. They actually donate the property – no charge to the organization, so all the money raised is actually being raised to go back to the individuals.”

OLSHA is located in Pontiac, Mich., and supported around 10,000 Oakland and Livingston county residents and their families last year.

For more information on Camp Oakland and how you can help, call (248) 628-2561 or visit campoakland.org.

If you or someone you know needs living-related assistance, you can call (248) 209-2600 or visit olsha.org to schedule and appointment.

Photo by Joe Johnson

Orion Township Public Library Hosts Fandom Fest 2024

by orionontv | May 8, 2024 | Community Event, Feature Writers

ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich – On Saturday, May 4, 2024, Orion Township Public Library hosted its annual Fandom Fest. This year, Fandom Fest happened to fall on the fourth of May, as in, “May the fourth be with you” – a popular phrase among “Star Wars” fans.

Fandom Fest also took place across Orion Township and Lake Orion as Prime Time Comics & Cards also participated in the festivities, hosting Free Comic Book Day, where fans of all ages could acquire free comics at the store. Free Comic Book Day was created in 2002 by the comic book industry to help attract new readers to independent stores.

OTPL started its event at 11 a.m., with story-time, crafts and trivia. Dan Major is the Head of Adult Services at OTPL, Joe Johnson of ONTV spoke with Major on the day of the festivities.

“It is a celebration of games, anime, TV, movies, ‘Star Wars’ Day, Free Comic Book Day – any fandom is being celebrated here today,” Major said. “We’ve got ‘Bounce ‘n’ Boogie’ at 11 a.m. today which is like a movement-based story time for younger kids. We’ve also got crafts going on in our meeting room today with snacks and everything like that – all different kinds of fandom-based crafts. Then we’re having fandom trivia at 1 o’clock.”

Free comics were also distributed at Fandom Fest, with multiple kids and families enjoying the complimentary media.

“We have some leftover comics from previous years and 2nd & Charles actually helped us out this year,” Major said.

Why does OTPL host this event every year? The answer is simple:

“Well obviously, libraries and fandoms are tied so closely – we’ve all got a movie series, TV series, book series that we love. And it is available here and it is a way to draw people into the library with something fun and a little different to celebrate the books and the media that they love,” Major said.

We all need a break from reality now and again, but indulging in these stories and engaging with the community in a fun, festive way, it seems as though real-life is not that bad.

You can support OTPL by going to their next big event, their annual Summer Reading Kickoff, which is set to take place on Saturday, June 8. There will be games, activities, food and entertainment at this fun, family-friendly event.

For more information on events like these visit oriontownship.librarycalendar.com.

Photo By Joe Johnson

Photo by Joe Johnson

Orion Center Hosts Cinco De Mayo Fiesta

by orionontv | May 7, 2024 | Community Event, Feature Writers

ORION TOWNSHIP, MICH. – On May 7, 2024, the Orion Center hosted a Cinco De Mayo Fiesta for senior residents and non-residents from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Mexican themed food, refreshments, and festivities took place in Dining Room C in the Orion Center as guests gathered and celebrated the Mexican holiday – popular with many Americans.

Nachos, tacos and burritos were served to seniors, as well virgin lime margaritas and margarita-style cookies and treats. Matt Pfeiffer, a recently appointed Orion Township Trustee Board Member, enthusiastically plated food to dozens of guests. Pfeiffer is running for Treasurer in the upcoming election.

“I love to do community service… It’s our duty to get involved,” Pfeiffer said.

During the ninety-minute event, the ukulele club performed historically Hispanic music, such as “Cinco de Mayo,” as well as Mexicanized American music classics like Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line.”

Many seniors enjoyed the music being played, giving rigorous applause after each song. The smiles of the delighted performers lit up the room.

Pat Lhota, a senior resident of Orion Township, attended the event and sat next to her friend – eating and remarking about the event.

“I love that they do these things. I love the band,” Lhota said.

The event was organized by Orion Center Recreation Programmer Melissa Opsahl – it was her first event that she put together.

“It was a lot of teamwork. I am really excited to have this be my first event,” Opsahl said.

The event appeared to be a success. The dining room was packed with attendees, who had a great time, enjoying food, listening to good music and being with the company of friends.

For more information on events like these, visit orionparks.com/senior_services or if you have any questions regarding an event, you can call Melissa Opsahl directly at 248-391-0304 x3511.