By Amanda Ensinger
Staff Writer
At a recent Prairie Township meeting, the board approved investing $50,000 in Rebuilding Together.
The program, which helps low income families and seniors do much-needed improvements to their homes, will once again be helping residents in the Little Farms neighborhood improve their homes in 2019.
“The township would like to add onto the work this organization is doing by investing $20,000 in interior and $30,000 on exterior home improvements,” said Tracy Hatmaker, township administrator. “Between the labor and skilled trade this organization provides to residents, it seems worth it to the township to invest a little money as well.”
Hatmaker said approximately 20 homes will be improved in Little Farms in 2019. In 2018, the township also invested $50,000 for home improvements with the organization. The 2019 applications are currently being accepted and residents can apply at www.rebuildingtogether.org.
Holiday Events in Prairie Township
The board discussed upcoming holiday events, including the annual Santa’s mailbox, Elf on the Shelf contest and Holiday Tree Lighting.
Area children can mail a letter directly to Santa this holiday via the Prairie Township Community Center’s Santa’s Mailbox Program. The event will take place from Nov. 26 to Dec. 17.
“Children will receive a reply from Santa directly from the North Pole,” said James Gant, director of the Prairie Township Community Center.
To ensure delivery, children must include their full name, complete address with zip code and postage.
Also, this year the community center will once again be having its annual Elf on the Shelf contest. This contest will also take place from Nov. 26 through Dec. 17 and give children the opportunity to enter to win a new bicycle.
“Children will look for the elf dolls at local businesses and get signatures from the businesses after finding them,” Gant said. “Once they find each elf, they can turn their sheet in at the community center for a chance to win a new bike.”
Past businesses that have participated include the Home Depot, Murray Hill Dental, the community center and the Westland Library. Businesses that participate are asked to donate $20 and the proceeds go toward the purchase of bicycles. For a complete list of businesses participating this year or to learn more about how to be a part of the event, visit www.prairietownship.org.
The Prairie Township Community Center will also be hosting the annual Holiday Tree Lighting. Taking place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 2, the event will feature the lighting of the holiday tree, holiday music and caroling, visits from Santa and ice sculpting demonstrations.
“There will be crafts and hopefully hot coco,” Gant said. “People really seem to look forward to this annual tradition of getting together as a community and celebrating the holidays.”
For more information on events happening in Prairie Township, visit www.prairietownship.org.
