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Our Programs

Explore our annual events and initiatives.

Throughout the year, the James H. Cole Legacy Foundation hosts and coordinates a number of programs to give back to the Detroit community. The purpose of the Foundation is to establish relationships with other non-profit organizations and the metro Detroit business community, to provide opportunities for economic empowerment and support the every day people who make Detroit a great place to live.

During this time, the James H. Cole Legacy Foundation wants to focus on helping those suffering most from the pandemic, whether it be helping staff inside of hospitals, first responders, or children who have had to adjust to virtual learning. Our programs are developed with this mission top-of-mind.

Past Initiative: 2024 TOY DRIVE

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation ran our 2024 Annual toy drive from November 20th to December 14th. We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who brought in toys and made this toy drive a success. The joy these toys brought to the children who received them is inexplicable and was only made possible with your help. We want to send a special thank you to Pastor Keith Pugh and the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church along with Pastor Gaylon Porter and the Holy Cross Baptist Church of Detroit Michigan for their generous donations.

When: November 20th to December 14th 2023

Place: City of Detroit

Website: Learn More

Past Initiative: 2023 Heroes & Hope Calendar Unveil Event

Every year, James H. Cole Legacy Foundation creates a calendar to celebrate the heroes in our community who are making a difference every day, from first responders to doctors to innovators.

When: Saturday, November 11, 2023

Place: The Corner Ballpark in Detroit, Michigan

Website: Learn More

Past Initiative: 2023 Back to School Rally with Commonwealth Development Academy

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation partnered with Commonwealth Development Academy for their 2023 Back to School Rally. CWDA hosted a Back-to-School Rally with fun, food, games and giveaways to the students, parents, and the community. The Back-to-School Rally started with the principal, Angela Moore welcoming the students and community to the family fun day Back to School Rally by announcing all male students to receive free haircuts and all kids were opened to face painting, board games, and fully loaded backpacks for the new school semester. Mrs. Moore thanked all the sponsors for taking part in the well-attended Back to School Rally and thanked James H. Cole Legacy Foundation for sponsoring the kids with their first Bowling Truck. The truck provided two lanes equipped with bowling balls and a lounging area for those who were waiting for their chance to bowl. The JHC Legacy Foundation partnered with CWDA to show our appreciation to the school for all their labor and hard work dedicated to their students and to the community.

When: August 2023

Place: Commonwealth Community Development Academy

Website: Learn More

Past Initiative: Commonwealth Community Development Academy

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation honored the Founder and Principle of the Commonwealth Community Development Academy school in Detroit, MI. The school is one of Detroit’s best kept secrets located at 13477 Eureka St. in Detroit, MI. The CCDA was founded by Dr. Hill and his wife, the late Lucille Hill, over 29 years ago.

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation honored the founder, Dr. Cullian6+ W. Hill for his hard work and dedication to the school and community as well as the church that he pastor’s, Greater Concord Baptist Church. We also honored his daughter, Mrs. Angela Hill who is the principal and organizer of the Principles Pub. The Principle’s Pub is a program for students who have maintained being on the honor roll since the start of the school year. We awarded the students with a luncheon, book bags and water bottles during their awards ceremony. The JHC Legacy Foundation is an advocate of education and believes in helping wherever and whenever help is needed for our future generation.

When: April 19, 2023

Place: Commonwealth Community Development Academy

Website: Learn More

Past Initiative: COTS Family Fun Festival

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation is known for giving back to the community through our Love Thy Neighbor program. We were able to put a smile on the faces of those at the COTS facility known as Peggy’s Place in Detroit, MI., by sponsoring a Family Fun Festival.

The Family Fun Festival consists of food, games and fun. There were activities for the kids as well as the adults. The kids were able to play Connect Four, Jump Rope, and Board Games while the adults were able to play cards games, win prizes, dance, and basketball. While the James H. Cole Legacy Foundation is establishing relationships with the community, we are also creating memories for families.

When: June 24, 2023

Place: City of Detroit

Website: Learn More About COTS

Past Initiative: 12 Days of Giving

As part of our Love Thy Neighbor initiative, the James H. Cole Legacy Foundation is celebrating local heroes for the holidays. Metro Detroiters are encouraged to submit their stories as to why they, an organization or someone they love have been a hero during 2021 in 250 words or less. From December 13-December 24 one person per day will be announced for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Winners will receive a $100 gift card and will be notified via email or phone.

Nominations for these local heroes are being accepted December 3-12 via email at Legacy@JHCFoundation.org.

Learn more on our Instagram page here. Read our blog post about this event.

 

When: 2021

Place: City of Detroit

Past Initiative: Holiday Food Giveaway

The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation in partnership with the Youth Are Bigger Than Life organization is hosting a relief effort for local residents on December 18, 10am-2pm. Residents are welcome to stop by the James H. Cole Home for Funerals Grand Blvd. location to pick up food packages.

Food will be given away from the parking lot of the location. Attendees can line up along Ferry Pk. Street at Holden. Residents can drive up and packages will be delivered to their vehicles.

All are welcome. For questions or to volunteer, contact Marvin Skipper at youtharebiggerthanlife@gmail.com.

View our event flyer here. Read our blog post about this event.

 

When: 2021

Place: James H. Cole Home for Funerals – Parking Lot; 2624 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit

Past Initiative: Firehouse Food Donation

Meals were delivered to firehouses near both James H. Cole Home for Funerals locations; feeding firefighters dinners catered by locally owned and operated restaurants.

When: 2021

Place: City of Detroit

Past Initiative: National Safety Month

As part of our Love Thy Neighbor initiative, meals are donated to local Detroit font-line workers, first responders, and emergency services employees, including firefighters and police. These meals are provided by local, Detroit-based restaurants and catering services.

When: 2021

Place: City of Detroit

Past Initiative: Women’s History Month

P. Hill Foundation – The Legacy Foundation will be donating money toward the financial assistance of young women with children who are getting their college degree.

When: 2021

Place: City of Detroit

Past Initiative: Women’s History Month

Peggy’s Place – Women and children struggling with homelessness will be receiving a VIP, fine-dining experience.

When: 2021

Place: City of Detroit

Past Initiative: Meal Donations

The Legacy Foundation partnered with local restaurants to provide meals to frontline workers, essential workers, and first responders. These meals were then provided to fire stations, hospitals, and police departments throughout Detroit.

When: 2020

Place: City of Detroit

Past Initiative: Teddy Bear Giveaway

During National Teddy Bear Day (September 9th) 2020, James H. Cole Legacy Foundation donated 50 teddy bears to the Pure Heart Foundation, an organization that supports children with incarcerated parents.

When: 2020

Place: City of Detroit

Past Initiative: Back to School

Backpacks were filled with necessary school supplies (notebooks, pens, calculators, hand sanitizer) and masks as well as a food gift card for each student.

When: 2020

Place: City of Detroit

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