CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Officials with the Veterans and America First Foundation are speaking out after for their donation bins were vandalized.

The organization, based in Clinton Township, collects clothing donations through bins placed throughout metro Detroit to support veterans and others in need with clothes, food and housing.

Bins located on West Vernor Highway near Military Street in Detroit were among the latest to be hit.

Paul Dehem, director and founder of Veterans and America First Foundation, learned about the damage on Saturday after Aiman Kawas, who is in charge of servicing the bins, discovered they had been damaged.

Dehem said the vandalism occurred within a narrow window.

“It happened sometime between Wednesday and Friday,” Dehem said.

“It’s just disheartening,” Dehem said.

Kawas said the West Vernor Highway incident is far from isolated.

“I was disappointed, of course this is not our first time being vandalized,” Kawas said.

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“We have lost over 70 bins to vandalism or theft, the actual bin disappears… they take it completely,” Kawas said.

Jason Beddow, director of development for Veterans and America First Foundation, said each bin costs about $1,000 to replace.

“The vets are missing out on their charity and donations from those bins and it’s just a real shame,” Beddow said.

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Meanwhile, Dehem said he hopes those responsible will consider who is truly harmed by the destruction.

“We have a mission and it’s for the veterans,” Dehem said. “It’s not for profit, we’re just trying to make things work and help people.”

Anyone with information about who is vandalizing the bins, or surveillance video, is asked to contact Detroit police.

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MILWAUKEE — Inside a Milwaukee funeral home Sunday, students in a gun violence prevention program took part in a mock funeral meant to show the devastating impact violence can leave behind.

The emotional exercise at New Golden Gate Funeral Home was part of the “I Will Not Die to Gun Violence” initiative, a 10-week violence prevention program for adults and young people involved in or impacted by gun-related cases.

Watch: Why one Milwaukee man is working to advocate against gun violence by teaching students conflict resolution in his “I Will Not Die to Gun Violence” initiative, and how the program is making a difference.

Milwaukee anti-gun violence initiative prepares to graduate first class

It was created by founder Monte Mabra after his brother, 48-year-old Latroy Harris, was shot and killed in December.

“My brother’s memorial service was here,” Mabra said through tears during the event.

“This is taboo for me. I didn’t think this was going to to happen.”

The program teaches conflict resolution and gun violence awareness.

Ten students are set to graduate this week after meeting twice a week throughout the spring.

Mabra said some participants joined through social media outreach while others were referred through the courts.

During the mock funeral, participants portrayed grieving family members mourning an 8-year-old boy killed by gun violence.

Mabra said participants were later invited to walk up to the casket. Inside was a mirror.

“There’s a mirror there today to represent it could’ve been you. It can happen to anyone,” Mabra said.

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Student Robert Johnson said the experience felt personal.

“This could be any of us,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the program helped him think differently about high-risk situations and the people around him.

“It helps me,” Johnson said. “Gives me different tools on the day-to-day basis on ways to think, high risk situations, people I should stay away from.”

Student Dan Cross said the program challenged participants to think more deeply about violence and where it comes from.

“Violence comes in different shapes, colors and sizes and a lot of it comes from social conditioning,” Cross said.

“I’m a gun owner and father of four. This is a great way to break cycles of violence and teach my children better.”

Antonio D. Brown, the man accused of killing Harris, is expected back in court this week.

“I never wanted revenge… My hope and my wish is with this program you’re able to identify the thinking and decisions you make,” Mabra added.

Mabra said seven spots remain open for the program’s next summer session.

For questions or information about the initiative, you can call (414) 306-2107.

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A man was brought to the hospital with serious injuries early Sunday afternoon after a fight escalated to a stabbing.

Minneapolis police say an ambulance near Tenth Avenue South and East 26th Street was approached by a man with a potentially life-threatening stab wound around 11:55 a.m.

An initial investigation by law enforcement indicates the stabbing happened when the victim, who was armed with a crowbar, got into a fight with another man, who stabbed him, police say.

The stabbing happened near 12th Avenue South and East Lake Street, police added, saying no arrests have been made and an investigation is underway.