By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

CLARKSTON — Lifelong Clarkston and Independence Township resident Beverly Weddle has gone through ups and downs over the past few years.
Now, she’s looking to give back for the holidays.
“Over three years ago, I made a Facebook group called ‘Angels Blessing the homeless,’” said Weddle. “We did really well for a year but then things slowed down due to many reasons. However, we still made backpacks for the homeless, did Easter baskets for kids in shelters, back-to-school packs for underprivileged children, and gave many packs to police departments.”
Weddle was honored with a Citizen Award by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard in Aug. 2021 for her contributions of more than 30 years to the local community.
“Then in the spring of 2022, my mother’s cancer took a turn for the worse and she declined until her death in September,” Weddle said. “I cared for her, worked up to 40 hours a week, helped my daughter who had a broken ankle, but the group still tried to use our supplies to help out people in need and put together backpacks. The last year has been a struggle for me personally from being homeless myself for two weeks to owning my own home within nine months, giving me a much stronger need to help the homeless.”
Weddle added that over time, many people in the group “disappeared but yet many stood by my side helping me with whatever I needed.”
“The wait paid off,” said Weddle. “I decided that the time is now to feed and help the homeless. Along with a partner group, Breath of Life Providing Hope, run by Cindy Ogg-Murray, we decided to put together backpacks and provide turkey dinners to many street homeless along Woodward Avenue to Detroit. We had volunteers provide cooked food, helped pack backpacks, pack up the food and deliver on Nov. 26. Now we are partnering up again to provide Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.”
The group is accepting donations at Raymond James, 20 West Washington, YogaVita Clarkston, 5660 Maybee Road, The Finch, 5897 Dixie Highway, and Mike’s Pizza and Catering, 3487 Sashabaw Road, Waterford. Donation boxes are set up at all locations.
“We are hoping to get some hams, cooked candied yams, scalloped or cheesy potatoes, brownies and cookies for 75 meals, as well as backpacks and heavy men’s socks,” said Weddle. “We are hoping to help some elderly people who won’t have a meal and also the homeless. We are trying to make up goody bags for the elderly and backpacks for the homeless. We are accepting food donations on Dec. 23 and could use help packing on Dec. 24. All donations can be dropped off at either location.”
Household hygiene items, bottled water, blankets, protein bars, winter hats and gloves, individual packaged snacks and instant coffee packets are other items also being accepted. Weddle noted that Breath of Life has nonprofit status and can issue tax receipts.
For more information or to get the full list of items being donated, call Weddle at 248-895-1994, email beverlyweddle3@gmail.com or message the Facebook group Angels Blessing the homeless.

PHOTO: Lu Shultz, a member of the Angels Blessing the homeless Facebook group, cooks a meal to be donated. Photo: Provided by Beverly Weddle