Finally, now that we’ve drained the nog bowl and are swigging brandy straight from the bottle, we can banish our inner Grinch just long enough to send out seasonal props to the Metro Times’ own Toni Smith. Our office administrative assistant and designated wonderful human, Smith spearheaded a gift drive for Shunt’a Nance and her five children, whose house was destroyed by a fire on Oct. 15. Nance’s daughter Taylor Baldwin, 1-1/2 years old, suffered extensive burns and required skin grafts on her legs. Smith learned of the family’s plight through the Children’s Center in Detroit, where she volunteers with her daughter Kayla Gause.
Smith cajoled the staff here to donate gifts and cash so that the family could have a truly merry Christmas. Her effort resulted in more presents than one Santa could possibly carry, and warmed even the jaded hearts that churn out this column.
And that, kind folk, is our long-awaited nod in the direction of Real Life/Real News. Look for our next installment in, oh, about 52 weeks. We don’t want to overdo it.
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