By Kathie Shaffer
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Once again, the men and women who live and work at Fox Run in Novi came to the aid of hurricane evacuees. In the past people at Fox Run donated over $20,000.00 via the American Red Cross that benefited those impacted by the disaster. This new project is specially targeted to provide assistance to evacuees who have chosen Oakland County as their new home since fleeing the destruction in the gulf area.

In cooperation with local businesses, Fox Run is collecting household items, identified as critical to setting up these new households. Needed are new and gently used kitchen items including dishes, silverware, pots, pans, and utensils, as well as small appliances like toasters, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, and televisions. Linens and furniture are also on the list.

The Welcome Baptist Church serves as a reception and screening center for the project. Once an individual or family’s needs are identified, the furniture bank makes distribution of the items.

Several Fox Run community members have come together to coordinate the collection.

“Many of these people have nothing but a few personal possessions,” says Peg Quigley, who lives at Fox Run and is the initiator of the project. “People need ‘basic survival’ things.” Peg, a former board member of the Oakland County Furniture Bank, challenged her neighbors at Fox Run to give and to help out.

Marie DiCostanza, director of resident life at Fox Run, said that people are thrilled to have an opportunity to impact the lives of these “newcomers” to Oakland County. “Our people feel so blessed to be in comfortable and safe homes. They are approaching this project with excitement and a generous spirit.”