DETROIT – Members of local Community Violence Intervention (CVI) groups across the city of Detroit are working to make sure some of the families in the areas they serve are not ignored this holiday season.

Organizations, including Detroit Friends and Family, Force Detroit, and 55th Foundation, are hosting Christmas Toy Giveaway events.

CVI groups are committed to helping reduce gun violence and other crimes while addressing community challenges in specific target zones, or hot spots, across the city.

“We’re letting the people know how to put down guns and, more than likely, pick up a hammer,” explained Michael Rogers of 55th Foundation. “We help them do some work.”

Members of local CVI groups said they are seeing positive results by forming relationships with neighbors and businesses.

They are helping residents access critical resources and providing support in areas where some residents believe neighbors have been ignored or neglected.

The work of local CVI groups has resulted in up to an 83% reduction in gun violence in some areas, according to city of Detroit leaders.

“The work is proactive,” said Darrell Ewing of Detroit Friends and Family. “We do the work that the police can’t do. We stop the crime before it happens, and we mediate with the youngsters, and we push them into purpose, where they don’t have to worry about feuding and warring.”

This holiday season, 55th Foundation is hosting a Christmas Toy Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Carmen’s, 14650 Gratiot Avenue.

Detroit Friends and Family is partnering with rapper Icewear Vezzo and Detroit Lions player Za’Darius Smith

for its Christmas Toy Giveaway scheduled for Monday, Dec. 23, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Impact Church located at 12844 Elmdale Street.

The group said Smith was also helping them give away a car to a family in need during their event.

“To actually get into the free raffle you have to send a video in to @MrBeatTheOdds on Instagram,” Ewing said. “Let the people know this is why I’m in dire need of this car and why.”

The CVI groups said the holiday events are their way of giving back this holiday season and looking out for the communities they serve.

Associated Press

Detroit Pistons (11-17, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (14-12, ninth in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Saturday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Detroit Pistons visit the Phoenix Suns in a non-conference matchup.

The Suns are 9-5 on their home court. Phoenix has a 3-6 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Pistons have gone 6-9 away from home. Detroit is eighth in the league with 45.3 rebounds per game led by Jalen Duren averaging 9.1.

The Suns are shooting 47.2% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 46.7% the Pistons allow to opponents. The Pistons are shooting 46.2% from the field, 0.7% lower than the 46.9% the Suns’ opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Devin Booker is averaging 25.1 points and 6.4 assists for the Suns.

Jaden Ivey is scoring 17.3 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Pistons.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 5-5, averaging 116.7 points, 42.5 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.2 points per game.

Pistons: 4-6, averaging 112.9 points, 41.8 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points.

INJURIES: Suns: Collin Gillespie: day to day (ankle).

Pistons: Isaiah Stewart: day to day (knee), Jaden Ivey: day to day (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.