DEBBIE WALLIS LANDAU
Special to the Jewish News
Gift R
Givers
eceiving just one Lego set or one Barbie doll at holiday time might
seem meager to some kids, but not for those who will get a gift like
that through this season's Orchards Children's Services toy drive. For
the 2,500 foster or adoptive children who will receive one, a holiday
toy represents a bright light in an otherwise bleak winter.
Then adding to that an invitation to go to a fun winter carnival, some special
memories are clearly in the making for these young boys and girls.
Orchards Children's Services, a Southfield-based foster care agency and adop-
tion agency, is holding its seventh annual holiday toy drive to collect and deliver
gifts for children living in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
For the third time, the agency is co-sponsoring "A Special Gift: The Mayor's
Party for the City of Detroit" with the Family Independence Agency of Wayne
County and the Lovelight Foundation. The four-hour funfest will take place
Sunday, Dec. 5, at Detroit's Cobo Center. It will include baked goods donated by
members of the Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah.
The carnival is significant enough — and massive enough — to require
the combined energies of 1,300 volunteers who plan to pamper the 5,000
expected guests.
Orchards volunteer Annette Rich of Birmingham, a Temple Shir
Shalom member, is spending a lot of time on the toy drive. She is co-
chairing this year's holiday party with Nancy Cantor of Bloomfield
Hills.
"I'll never forget the first time I volunteered at the annual
party," Rich said. "A little boy was told he could sample every-
thing and enjoy every ride. He said, 'You guys don't say "no" to
anything we ask for!'
"You see, it's a day of yeses. That's what makes it
so special for everyone involved. That's why I keep
working on it."
"Orchards is providing the party's volunteers
this year," said spokeswoman Lois Gerenraich
of Farmington Hills, the agency's director of
volunteers. "We are well on our way to
reaching our number but still need more
people. It's a wonderful, feel-good day for
people to take part in."
Transportation will be provided for
Volunteers help
Orchards Children's Services
say "yes" at holiday time.
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Lois Gerenraich of
Orchards Children's Services
with Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer :
at the mayor's fifth annual
A Special Gift holiday party.
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A holiday party for youngsters
co-hosted by Detroit Mayor
Dennis Archer will have sup-
port of the Detroit Jewish
community.
Debbie Wallis Landau is a freelance writer
living in West Bloomfield.
11/19
1999
37