NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
DECEMBER 25, 2024 candgnews.com Oakland County papers
Project Blue Light remembers fallen first responders EVENT ALSO SUPPORTS THOSE STILL SERVING BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
HAZEL PARK — Deputy Bradley Reckling, of the Oakland County Sheriff ’s Office, was killed this past summer confronting alleged car thieves he had tracked from Madison Heights to Detroit. He was among the fallen heroes honored at the 2024 Southeast Michigan Project Blue Light ceremony, which recognizes those who died in the line of duty. Police officers, firefighters and paramedics from across
The Detroit Police Department Honor Guard presents a wreath in honor of fallen first responders during the Project Blue Light ceremony at St. Justin Church in Hazel Park Dec. 3. Photo by Erin Sanchez
See BLUE LIGHT on page 8A
GOLD COIN GETS DROPPED IN RED KETTLE ONE LAST TIME BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Lots of coins get dropped in the Salvation Army’s red kettles, but for 12 years one donation has stood out. On Dec. 2, a mysterious deep-pocketed donor dropped off a final gold Krugerrand coin at a Kroger in St. Clair Shores. This year’s coin came with a note: “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! I am sorry to say — this is my last (Krugerrand). Hoping there are others who have (Krugerrands) that can help keep up this tradition in the future to help so many in need during the holidays. God Bless!” The donor’s identity has been kept secret throughout the years. The coin has been dropped at the Kroger near the intersection of Marter Road
and Jefferson Avenue each year. According to Monex last week, the value of the coin is $2,642. Last year’s coin was valued at $2,031 when it was donated. “(It was) very generous that someone was able to do that every year,” said Salvation Army Maj. Charlotte Hall, who oversees the organization’s Great Lakes Division. When a coin is received by the organization, it is cashed in, and funds are distributed back to the unit that received the coin, according to Hall. Hall said she has been stationed at Salvation Army locations throughout the country during her career and has seen gold Krugerrands donated. “It’s amazing,” Hall said. “I was in Aurora, Illinois, and we had one donated while I was there.” The donation came a day before Giving See COIN on page 5A
A final gold Krugerrand was dropped into one of the Salvation Army’s red kettles at a Kroger near the intersection of Marter Road and Jefferson Avenue on Dec. 2. Photo provided by Galina Roehl