Get Ready for Wish List 2023! | | |
|
|
What Kind of Elf are You?
Every year, our volunteer "elves" generously go above and beyond to provide stocking stuffers for each youth, fulfill individual wish lists, and get everything organized, wrapped, and festive in our Vista Boutique. We hope you'll join us this year!
Shopper Elf
Grant the wishes of an individual child, or several children, by purchasing all four items on their personalized Wish Lists. Shoppers can expect to spend between $200 to $300 on each child’s list. This is a great holiday activity for families or groups to do together!
Lists for 2023 will be available in early November. This program fills up quickly, so be sure to sign up soon. Email Jessica or...
| |
Stocking Elf
Help fill our youths’ stockings with extra goodies by purchasing items from our stocking stuffer list. These items can be found at most stores and on our Amazon and Target wish lists.
Angel Elf
Sponsor the Holiday Wish List Program by providing gift cards to stores like Kohl’s, Meijer, Target, and Amazon to help us fulfill last-minute wishes. You may also consider donating online to cover the costs of gifts for any youth who come in right before Christmas.
Workshop Elf
Our Vista Maria Boutique and offices become the epicenter of holiday cheer every December! You can help sort and inventory gifts and organize “Santa’s Workshop” right here on Vista Maria’s campus. Volunteer times are typically 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.
Contact Jessica at [email protected] to adopt a wish list or Maddie at [email protected] to volunteer.
P.S. - Keep an eye out for our year-end mailer, lighting up a mailbox near you!
| |
|
Last month, more than 100 fearless supporters joined us at the Detroit Athletic Club to empower youth who are aging out of foster care and facing homelessness.
In 2022, Vista Maria's Community Independent Living programs and the Shepherd Hall transitional living program served nearly 100 boys and girls from across our region.
Thanks to the inspiring generosity of our sponsors and attendees, we exceeded our $50,000 goal, raising more than $59,000 in support of the independent living programs that help youth move from hopeless to limitless!
Not only are you helping our youth lead more independent and empowered lives, but you are also bringing awareness to a need that exists right in our own communities.
Thank You, 2023 Sponsors:
Valet Sponsors:
Ally Financial
Ascent Global Logistics
Table Sponsors:
Amerisure Insurance Company
Cinnaire
Comerica Bank
Epitec, Inc.
Huntington National Bank
Kapnick Insurance company
Superior Industries
| |
|
|
This year's Dolly Drive was our biggest and most successful one yet! Thank you to everyone who joined again this year! We raised a record-breaking $69,625 for Vista Maria's growing foster care programs. And together, we collected 4 gigantic carloads of dolls, action figures, and games for children on our holiday wish list.
Our guests heard from our inspiring foster parent, Kayce, who shared stories of her personal fostering journey, as well as members of our dedicated foster care team who shared all the different ways you can support youth in foster care.
We spent the rest of the evening trying our luck at the mystery wine pull, dancing to DJ Walker, and snacking on those delicious cheese fries!
Thank you to Chef Max Hardy for providing the incredible spread, and MoJo in the Morning's Shannon Murphy (and her kiddos) for being our emcee for the evening!
| |
|
Whether you share the stories you heard this evening with friends and family, invite a speaker to your church group, make a donation, or volunteer with us, you are an essential advocate for foster youth. Together, we are building a strong, unbreakable network of support for youth in foster care. We hope to see you again next year!
Thank You, 2023 Sponsors:
| |
|
Presenting Sponsor:
Ascent Global Logistics
Gold Sponsors:
Ally Financial
Chartwells Dining Service
Ford Direct Cares
| |
|
Platinum Sponsor:
Magna International
Silver Sponsors:
Advantage One Credit Union
Brooks Kushman
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Fifth Third Bank
Kienbaum Hardy Viviano & Forrest PLC
| |
Put Your Heart to Work: Be a Mentor | | |
|
|
Right now, we have 10 residents who are waiting for a mentor – a volunteer who can donate one hour per week to help empower our youth and transform their lives.
Share your individual attention, insight, and compassion to help a teen who needs you. You and your mentee can share activities, talk about the week, and build confidence along the way.
If you’re female, at least 20 years of age, and interested in learning more, click the button or contact Maddie Phillips at 313-271-3050 x221 or [email protected] to get started!
| |
|
It’s hard to believe that 2024 is right around the corner!
As a reminder, if you are 73+ years of age, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are the minimum amounts you must withdraw from your retirement accounts before December 31st.
Vista Maria's Board Chair, Greg Spinazze explains,
"Donating your RMD is a great way to begin or expand your giving portfolio, support the causes you care about, and minimize the tax bite."
| |
|
|
To read more about RMDs from Greg Spinazze, Vista Maria’s Board Chair, click HERE.
Questions? Please contact our Major Gifts Officer, Renee Pompi, at [email protected] or 248-953-3201.
| | |
|
|
This week saw the return of everyone's favorite campus tradition! Each fall, our friends at Solomon Plumbing bring lunch from Slow's Barbecue for our entire staff of good shepherds.
Our team serves youth 24/7, so it's no small feat to feed all three shifts (nearly 300 of us), and we couldn't be more grateful!
Thank you also to the Charism Commitee for serving and delivering meals throughout the day!
| | | | |
