Holiday events serve to thank Michigan’s military

Macomb Daily staff photo by David N. Posavetz

The secret is out!  

Santa Claus had so much fun at Lakeside Mall’s Bagels with Santa event for the military last year that he’s making it a holiday tradition. 

Military families who wish to join in the fun are invited to meet Santa in the Food Court on December 1 at 9 a.m. for a feast of bagels, juice, milk and coffee. “We (already) have 20 families signed up for this special morning,” said Amy Stanton, marketing manager at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights. However, in order for the elves to have enough goodies to go around attendees must register by calling 586-247-4131.

Each child in attendance will receive a plush toy brought by Santa just for them.

This event is sponsored by Panera Bread and Lakeside Mall. 

Santa Claus also will be visiting civilians:

Monday – Saturday

10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lunch: 1-2 p.m.

Dinner: 5- 6p.m.

Sunday

11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Lunch: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve

9 a.m. -6 p.m. sharp!

Lunch: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

For directions and further details, visit www.shop-lakesidemall.com.

Trees for Troops

Being a nursery it is only natural that English Gardens would join the brigade supporting Trees for Troops -- nationwide program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation in which fresh-cut Christmas trees are donated annually to members of the U.S. military.

“This is the first year English Gardens has participated in this great program,” said John Darin, president of English Gardens. “It’s a great cause and we’re proud to help give back to members of the military and their families who give so much to us.” 

Nigel Manley, Christmas SPIRIT Foundation chairman would agree.

“Being involved with Trees for Troops is truly a gift that gives back,” he said. “It’s rewarding and meaningful to everyone involved because it gives us the opportunity to say thank you to our troops, and help ensure military families have the kind of joyful, traditional Christmas memories that we would wish for America’s heroes.”

For each $30 donation, English Gardens will provide one 6 to 7-foot fresh-cut Christmas tree that will be donated to an American military family. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 2 at all eight English Gardens stores and online at www.EnglishGardens.com.

Trees for Troops Weekend, kicks off Nov. 30 and hundreds of participants across the nation do their part to collect the trees for troops. English Gardens is the only retailer in Metro Detroit this year but it’s bound to catch on. Spreading good cheer and if things go as well as last year – more than 103,000 fresh cut evergreen trees will be delivered to troops in time for Christmas. 

If you want to see what the military think of the program, visit the Trees for Troops website at www.treesfortroops.org where each year, hundreds of military families click on to leave heartfelt thank you messages and pictures of their families at Christmastime. “Thank you for our beautiful Christmas tree!” said a message from the Pendleton family. “We weren’t sure what we were going to do this year… Trees for Troops was an answer to our prayers.”