Dear Neighbor,
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I want to extend my gratitude to all those who have served our country to ensure we have the freedoms that we hold dear to heart. I hope you will be able to celebrate our military men and women this weekend and enjoy the warmer weather. With June approaching, I also encourage you to check out some of the local farmers’ markets and summer events.
In this newsletter, you can find information on some local farmers’ markets opening soon as well as events and reminders for our community.
Featured in Today’s Newsletter:
- Military Appreciation Month
- Home Depot Expands Savings for Military Families
- Detroit Fire Department Reminds Residents of Summer Safety
- Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Enforcement Began May 19
- 2025-26 Free Pre-K Enrollment Open
- Reunite With Your Unclaimed Property Using the Updated Website
- Local Farmers’ Markets
- Dodge Park Thursdays Begin June 5
As always, it is an honor to represent you. If you would like any assistance with state-based issues, please feel free to reach out! You can email me at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-8360.
Warmest Regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
Military Appreciation Month
May is Military Appreciation Month, a special observance of those who have served our country. It is a time designated to honor and recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and service of the members of our armed forces, past and present. May was first officially designated as Military Appreciation Month by Congress back in 1999, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed the observance in Michigan this year.
Our office is taking the month of May to raise awareness of the obstacles faced by veterans, active-duty members, and their families. We also celebrate them and recognize their sacrifices and want to highlight some military discounts for Military Appreciation Month here.
The month concludes with Memorial Day, where we remember our fallen military members and all that they have sacrificed. We wish all military members, their families, and their loved ones a happy Military Appreciation Month!
Home Depot Expands Savings for Military Families
Home Depot has recently unveiled its expanded savings for military families across the nation — extending their tax-free shopping benefits to more military families through partnerships with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and the Navy Exchange. This program, which initially focused on large appliances, now includes nearly all online products, offering significant savings to over 34 million eligible Exchange customers.
Key program benefits include:
- Tax-free shopping
- Free shipping on major appliances
- 10% military discount on full-priced, non-appliance merchandise – extending the same discount that is also available on homedepot.com
In addition to scaling this partnership, Home Depot has expanded its military moving hub, making the process more efficient for individuals and families. If you’re an active service member of the United States military and relocation to a new city, state, or country is part of your mission, find everything you need, from moving truck services to shipping boxes, containers and more.
Learn more about the Military Exchange program at thd.co/militaryexchange and visit militarymoving.com for additional resources.
Detroit Fire Department Reminds Residents of Summer Safety
The Detroit Fire Department is reminding residents to keep summer safety in mind while grilling and using fire pits and fireworks. As the weather warms, fire related risks increase, especially from these items. The following tips can help you to keep yourself and loved ones safe this summer:
Grilling Safety Tips
- Always use grills outdoors and place them well away from homes, deck railings, leaves, and overhanging branches.
- Clean your grill regularly by removing grease or fat buildup from the trays below the grill.
- Check gas grills for leaks before using them each season. A soap and water solution applied to the hose can reveal bubbles that indicate a leak.
- Never leave a grill unattended once lit and keep children and pets at least three feet away.
Firepit Safety Tips
Always check with local ordinances to ensure recreational fires are permitted; many times permits are required.
- Choose a location that is flat, allows for a three-foot clearance around any pit, free of any vegetation, and is more than 10 feet away from flammable structures.
- Use dry, seasoned wood, and preferably hard wood. Avoid construction lumber; this wood is often processed and can contain toxic chemicals when burned.
- Don’t add danger to the fire by using flammable liquids to start a fire.
- Be mindful of children and animals near the fire.
- Never leave the fire unattended and completely distinguish your fire before leaving.
Firework Safety Tips
Please note that fireworks may only be discharged on certain dates and in certain locations. To learn more about these regulations, please click here.
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks, including sparklers as they burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure the fireworks are labeled for consumer (not professional) use.
- Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
- Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
- Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone.
- After fireworks complete their burning, to prevent a trash fire, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device.
Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Enforcement Began May 19
The “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign began on May 19. During this two-week period, the Michigan State Police and local authorities will be actively conducting seat belt enforcement.
In 2023, 223 people lost their lives from not wearing seat belts and a total of 285 people in crashes were ejected while not wearing a seat belt. Of those, 179 were drivers, 102 were injured passengers, and four were uninjured passengers. Of the unbelted people who were ejected, 66 (23.2%) were killed.
To learn more, please click here.
2025-26 Free Pre-K Enrollment Open
Enrollment is now open for free and high-quality PreK for the 2025-26 school year. The Michigan Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, local school leaders, and providers from across the state encourage families to enroll 4-year-olds in this program.
Michigan’s PreK for All program encompasses several free, high-quality early childhood education options, including the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Head Start, and developmental kindergarten programs. The National Institute for Early Education (NIEER) recently reported Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program has achieved top marks for quality, with Michigan being one of only five states to meet all 10 quality benchmarks set by NIEER. This is the eighth year in a row that Michigan has earned this achievement.
To learn more or enroll your child, please click here.
Reunite With Your Unclaimed Property Using the Updated Website
Visitors to Michigan Unclaimed Property’s website will find an updated design, highlighted by refreshed colors, better usability, and easier-to-follow directions for claiming property.
The Michigan Dept. of Treasury has millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets that include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes, and stock certificates. These properties were all turned over to the state once they were determined to be abandoned as required by law. The treasury is the custodian of these assets and reunites them with their owners — or the owners’ heirs — when they are rightfully claimed.
To find out if you have cash or property, check multiple states at UCPday.com or go directly to the Michigan Unclaimed Property website, which provides enhanced search options and the ability to upload verifying documentation easily and securely. Individuals are encouraged to search their name, a maiden name, or the name of a business or nonprofit. The search is free. Claimants may also call 517-636-5320 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Businesses, corporations, nonprofits, public entities, and other organizations holding unclaimed or abandoned property, can find instructions on how to prepare and easily submit their report and remittance online on the Michigan Unclaimed Property website as well.
Nearly 33 million people in the U.S. – 1 in every 10 – has what the industry calls unclaimed property: financial accounts or items of value where the owner has not initiated any activity for several years. Common examples include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and unused rebate cards.
For more information about other services provided by the state Treasury Department, go to Michigan.gov/Treasury or follow @MITreasury on Twitter.
Local Farmers’ Markets
With June right around the corner, many farmer’s markets will be starting up again. These markets are a great way to get fresh and local produce while supporting our community. Below, you can find some local farmers’ markets in and near our district.
Kutchey Family Market
WHEN: Year-round, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., as well as Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: 27825 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48092
Sterling Heights Dodge Park Farmers Market
WHEN: June through September, Thursdays from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dodge Park, 40620 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313
*WIC, SNAP/Bridge Cards, Project Fresh, and Double Up Food Bucks programs accepted here.
Warren Farmers Market – Sundays at the Square
WHEN: June 25 through September 25, Sundays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: 1 City Square, Warren, MI 48093
Macomb Farmers Market
WHEN: June through August; every other Saturday starting June 1, from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: 15300 21 Mile Rd., Macomb, MI 48044
Shelby Township Farmers Market
WHEN: May 18 through October 19, Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: 49965 Van Dyke, Shelby Charter Twp., MI 48317
St. Clair Shores Farmers Market
WHEN: 4th Sunday of each month, May – September from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 2nd Thursday of each month: June – September from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown St. Clair Shores, 9 Mile and Mack Avenue
Dodge Park Thursdays Begin June 5
The City of Sterling Heights will be hosting their weekly Dodge Park Thursdays starting June 5. Thursdays at Dodge Park include a farmer’s market from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. with locally made food and produce, Patios ‘n’ Pints from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. where you can sample beers and ciders from various breweries, and Music in the Park where you can enjoy live concerts at 7:00 p.m.!
Please note, Dodge Park Farmer’s Market will also be accepting EBT, so no family will be turned away. The market also participates in the Double Up Food Bucks and Senior Project FRESH/Market programs.
Special events this summer at Dodge Park include:
- June 5: Pride Night
- June 19: Juneteenth
- June 26: Park It Family Fun Night + Movie in the Park
- July 3: Cool Car Rally
- Sept. 4: Pet Parade
- Sept. 11: Market Fit
- Sept. 25: Touch-a-Truck