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In The News The Detroit
News Arab American and Chaldean Council spreads holiday cheer to families in need Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News It was a fitting holiday tribute as the council held its second annual Appreciation Day for the people, businesses, nonprofits and corporations who donated food, books, toys, clothes and even sleeping bags to 3,000 needy people near Seven Mile and Woodward Avenue. "It's beautiful," said 24-year-old Heather Martin after her three children took a photo with Santa Claus. "It gives families in need an opportunity to get the things they need for their children." All Saturday afternoon, a steady stream of people came to the
center to receive the items. Activities were held in the center and three other nearby buildings. People jammed the sidewalks on Seven Mile sidewalks as they carried blue plastic knapsacks stuffed with their holiday goodies. The old and the young mixed, listening to band, R&B and holiday music. People were on bicycles, others pushed baby strollers. And others just stood and watched the normally empty streets packed with people. Isa Hasan, director of the council's 7 Mile Community & Neighborhood Development Initiative, said he wants to see Seven Mile packed like that throughout the year. Across the street from the center, ACC is building a learning center and heading some street improvement projects. ACC has built medical, dental and mental health offices on Seven Mile. Hasan estimates that 75 percent of the community is African American and the remainder is a mix of whites and people of Middle Eastern descent. He said it is important that the council's work reflect the various cultures in the neighborhood. "We do not want it to be known as a council project," Hasan said of the work in the area. "Thank God the community understands this. We are embracing the total community." Marja Winters, director of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's Office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization, said the city supports the council's efforts because they are inclusive. "Instead of just sticking to themselves, they have reached out," she said Saturday while attending the festivities. Patricia Lewis, a 41-year-old Detroiter, came to the event Saturday
looking for items for her nine grandchildren. "It is nice,"
she said. "I am not surprised though, they are very involved
in the neighborhood." In the News 12/16/07 - ACC spreads holiday cheer to families in need 7/26/07 - Revival Revs on Seven Mile 7/23/07 - Artisan center coming to 7 Mile Neighborhood 2/15/07 - Iraqis in U.S. applaud refugee plan 12/11/06 - Conference urges smokers of water pipe to stop 10/21/06 - ACC names new Chairman 10/16/2006 - ACC gala focuses on 'Building Hope, Building Lives' 10/16/2006 - ACC gala focuses on 'Building Hope, Building Lives'(ARABIC) 9/28/06 - Gala benefit for arts project 8/20/06 - Join us as a guest and sponsor at this year's: 8/3/06 - Charities step in to aid Mideast 7/16/06 - Health leader Fakhouri wins money for program 7/1/06 - ACC Director receives health leadership award 6/30/06 - State department awards council grant for youth 5/13/06 - What you should know about Hepatitis C (Arabic written article) 4/1/06 - ACC’s Behavioral Health staff deliver quality services 4/1/06 - ACC provides Immigration and Medicare workshops (Arabic written article) 2/25/06 - Hepatitis C (Arabic written article) 2/11/06 - Italian Delegation meets with ACC and compliments services (Arabic written article) 2/6/06 - Children get into the action at NFL clinic, diversity day 1/27/06 - COMING TO YMCA: Kids get forum on ethnicity, religion
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