Patients, staff and volunteers marched through the hallways at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, united in a simple mission: remind kids fighting cancer they're not battling alone.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: 'So special': Parade brings joy to cancer patients at Mott Children's Hospital

For kids like 18-month-old Sophia Ginopolis, the parade was a break from hospital routines a day filled with princesses, music and a visit from her best friend, Dash the therapy dog.

"When she saw Dash open the parade, she was so excited," said Cassandra Ginopolis, Sophia's mother.

Little Sophia has been battling leukemia since her diagnosis about six months ago.

"We were here for induction for 40 days and thankfully at the end of induction, she was in deep remission," Cassandra Ginopolis said.

For Cassandra Ginopolis, seeing her daughter smile like that means everything.

"She's been doing really well, all things considered. I mean, everything that her body is going through is incredible that she still wakes up with a smile on her face, and I don't know that I'd be able to do it, what she's doing," the mother said.

Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is working hard to brighten these kids' days during some of the toughest times in their lives.

Vanessa Shamany-Fakhoury, a nurse at Mott, says she knows this journey from both sides her daughter is battling cancer.

"It just hit differently as a pediatric nurse at Mott to now be the mom walking these halls," Shamany-Fakhoury said. "Going through this journey can be very lonely, so when you have these moments where it's recognized, it means a lot and it brings joy and smiles."

The parade brought so much joy that 21-year-old Molly Felty made sure she wouldn't miss it. She is battling cancer herself.

"I wanted to see what the parade was all about. I was really excited. I had my biopsy scheduled earlier, so I could be part of the parade and I'm glad I did that," Felty said.

For families like the Ginopolis family, the support stretches beyond the hospital walls.

"To see the support from everybody here, not just at Mott but the community and the teams and the school, is so special. I feel like it gives her so much hope. It gives us so much hope to know that we're not fighting this alone," Cassandra Ginopolis said.

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A retired Dearborn police corporal who was gravely injured in the line of duty received a heartwarming tribute on the anniversary of 9/11 a custom putting green installed in his backyard by volunteers from across the country.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: Retired Dearborn police corporal receives custom putting green on 9/11 anniversary

Christopher Truel, who sustained life-changing injuries while serving in 2003, was gifted the putting green through a partnership between Celebrity Greens and Folds of Honor as part of their national mission to bring joy to disabled veterans and first responders.

"This has been a huge blessing in our lives. I used to love playing the game of golf," Truel said.

Truel sustained a traumatic brain injury and spinal injuries during his service, ultimately forcing him to retire on total and permanent disability in 2009.

"I sustained a traumatic brain injury at that time and spinal injuries ultimately, I had to retire on a total and permanent disability in 2009," Truel said.

The custom putting green allows Truel to reconnect with a sport he loves without the challenges of visiting a golf course.

Web extra: Christopher Truel speaks on Folds of Honor award Web extra: Christopher Truel speaks on Folds of Honor award

"I still like to chip and putt so when they found that out, the owners of Celebrity Greens contacted me and offered this," Truel said.

Weston Weber, co-owner of Celebrity Greens, explained the program's mission to help those who can no longer easily access traditional golf courses.

"Many of these disabled veterans or first responders, they can't go to the golf course anymore. They don't want to go to the golf course, so we bring the golf course to them in their home," Weber said.

The installation was completed entirely by volunteers Celebrity Turf distributors from across the country who traveled to Michigan to help with the project.

"They all came here on a volunteer basis to do this, and it's very humbling," Truel said.

Among the volunteers was Scott Fairman, owner of Scott Turf Company Celebrity Green in Charlotte, North Carolina, who made the trip to participate in the meaningful project.

"What they go through on a daily basis is far harder than what we go through on a daily basis, and whenever one of our soldiers or first responders has a moment that sets them back in life, we want to come in and just give them a little something that brings them up and lifts their spirits," Fairman said.

Jayson Cronk, owner of Turf Pros, emphasized the importance of supporting those who have made significant sacrifices.

"He's made sacrifices that are going to affect him for his life. For us to be able to help him and his family, it was just a great opportunity, and we're thrilled to be able to do it," Cronk said.

The putting green serves multiple purposes beautifying Truel's home while providing a source of enjoyment for his entire family without requiring trips to a golf course.

On a day when America remembers the sacrifices of first responders, this small patch of green grass has become a powerful symbol of gratitude and community support for those who continue to give long after their time in uniform.

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An abandoned duplex in Pontiac is getting a second life as a safe haven for people recovering from addiction, thanks to a local church's mission to help residents rebuild both homes and their lives.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: Pontiac church transforms abandoned duplex into recovery housing for addiction survivors

Grace Gospel Fellowship has transformed the once-forgotten house that sat empty for years into an independent living facility, offering warmth, hope, and a fresh start to those finding their footing after rehab.

"They have nowhere to go back to. Every bridge is burned, or if they do have somewhere to go back to, it's negative. It's a negative influence," said Pastor Darin Weiss, lead pastor at Grace Gospel Fellowship.

The duplex serves as the next stepping stone after aftercare housing, as residents begin to explore home ownership and independent living.

"Once a person has completed that after-care time, then they're able to rent from us in this community and help give back and provide the foundation for others," Weiss said. "We've actually helped 24 people that have completed our aftercare program become homeowners in this very community."

Residents find stability through community support

Nickolas Nowland, a resident of the duplex, said the support makes all the difference in his recovery journey.

"I've been in and out of rehabs. They never really stuck with me until I found Grace," Nowland said. "Now that I work for Grace and I'm living in their community, it helps me stay clean."

Nowland was part of the team that helped restore the duplex from its deteriorated state.

"This place was literally a dump. I mean, they take the worst houses and make them beautiful," Nowland said.

Just like the program helped him rebuild his life on a stronger foundation, Nowland has found community with others who share his commitment to recovery.

"I've got several guys I've become really close with, friends that went through the program that have the same mindset. They want to stay clean," Nowland said. "We go to church twice a week, um, there's all kinds of different programs within the community that we can get involved in that helps us."

Building lifelines for women in recovery

Cynthia Troy, another resident of the new home, said the Grace community offered her a lifeline when she needed it most.

"My life kind of went off the rails when I started drinking. I couldn't stop on my own, and I became very desperate," Troy said. "I've never had so much peace or joy, really, in my life."

Now ,Troy is able to give that same support to others in similar positions.

"I work with the women, so talking with them and giving them that support is huge. I love that," Troy said.

Pastor Weiss said the goal is to break the cycle and build lasting change by connecting people to something greater than themselves.

"We were created to be part of something bigger than ourselves. That's where we find our purpose, our worth, our value, and our dignity," Weiss said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

At 91 years old, most people have long hung up their skates. But one Wyandotte man is proving age is just a number, still lacing up and hitting the ice to play the game he loves.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: 91-year-old Wyandotte man proves age is just a number on the hockey rink

Lenny Trusewicz says a life of clean living has kept him sharp and in shape for the game he's loved since high school.

"I never smoked, I had my first bottle of beer when I was 25," Trusewicz said. "I think just taking care of your body, and it's not hard to do."

Trusewicz started playing hockey right after graduating high school in 1952. Seventy years later, he's still showing up to skate and socialize.

"Being active, it's good for my health. And then the group of people that we're with, I meet new people every year and so my friend circle grows every year. If you sit at home, the circle shrinks because they pass on," Trusewicz said.

From post-game meetups to a few battle scars along the way, Trusewicz has experienced it all.

"You still get home for supper if you wanna go home for supper, but we do occasionally tailgate," he said. "I lost eight teeth one year, then I put on a face mask."

Trusewicz says hockey keeps his body moving and his spirit strong.

"It's good for my health and good for my mind," he said.

To his teammates, Trusewicz isn't just another player.

"He's a hero. He's a hero to all of us. We all look up to him," said Tom Neu, a fellow hockey player. "I hope that I'm still able to be just doing that. If I can do what he's doing even if it's just at the same pace I'll be absolutely thrilled."

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Metro Detroit residents are making the most of their Labor Day weekend, with many choosing to celebrate at local festivals, baseball games and peaceful outdoor spaces.

At the Michigan Lottery Arts Beats and Eats Festival, vendor Anthony Davis said the holiday represents more than just a long weekend.

"Labor Day for me, you know, it's supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation. It's also like a new beginning. The summer's over, falling into the fall," Davis said.

Davis praised the popular festival as both enjoyable and profitable for vendors.

"This is just a really fun event. People are great and it's profitable for us. It's a four-day weekend. We love it here," Davis said.

Others opted for a traditional American pastime. Dale McNeill and his family, who recently relocated from New York, chose to spend their long weekend at Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers versus New York Mets game.

"We're actually going to the Detroit Tigers vs. New York Mets game," McNeill said.

Meanwhile, Belle Isle provided a more peaceful backdrop for other families. Lisa Burgess, who has childhood memories of the island park, returned with her own family for a relaxing morning.

"I kind of grew up here when I was younger as a kid, been down here all the time with family," Burgess said.

"We did Arts Beats and Eats and we did the Jazz Fest and just spending time with family and just kind of relaxing at Belle Isle this morning," Burgess said.

Visitors Tina Teal and Dawn Rodriguez at Arts Beats and Eats appreciated the perfect weather conditions.

"The weather is just beautiful," Teal and Rodriguez said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

At the heart of Oakland University, organic gardens are blooming with purpose, growing chemical-free produce, reducing food waste and giving back to the community while teaching students the value of sustainability and service.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: Oakland University students grow connections through organic farming program

"You get a lot more back than if you're using chemicals and working against the environment," said Riayn Hanson, a senior at Oakland University studying environmental science and distribution manager of farm shares and farm stands.

On this land, Oakland University students are learning about sustainable farming for the good of the planet and people.

"It's a lot more rewarding that way too because you're very connected to the plants that way because you're taking a lot deeper care of them and like monitoring them more every day as opposed to just like spraying them with a chemical and calling it good," Hanson said.

Hanson says organic farming is about returning to our roots.

"I feel like we've became so disconnected as a society from farming as a whole, so I think learning about farming and just connecting more with our environment and with the Earth is just super important," she said.

That connection isn't just cultivated in the garden; it's shared with the community.

"We donate to the pantry, so we always put together like some lettuce or we make some walking salad cups and then we get to donate that back to the pantry," Hanson said.

The farm grows everything from chives to carrots.

"We have peppers and we have eggplants, which our eggplants have been doing great this year," Hanson said.

Students at the farm make walking salads to donate to the Golden Grizzlies Pantry, a food pantry available for Oakland University students facing food insecurity.

"The snap peas and usually tomatoes are primarily what's going to be in the walking salads. We like cut them up and put them in little cups, so students can grab them at the farm stands and just eat them on their way to class," Hanson said.

Behind it all is a hands-on lesson in organic practices.

"Students learn all of the organic rules and regulations. We don't use synthetic chemicals," said Fay Hansen, associate professor of biological sciences and director of the Oakland University student organic farm.

"Mostly it's through prevention, and how we do the prevention is by rotating our crops by families, so that the insects that say bother the cucumbers, they won't see that same family at that site for three years."

From crop rotation to natural pest prevention, every practice puts sustainability first.

"They may have a few bites out of them like if the insects can't eat them, maybe you shouldn't either. If they're too perfect, it's very likely that they've been treated with chemicals. We don't mind if there's a few little imperfections in our crops," Hansen said.

From the soil to the student pantry, every leaf and vegetable grown tells a story of service, sustainability and community impact.

"For people in situations where it's hard for them to have access to food, I feel like the cheapest food is usually the most unhealthy, so I feel like for us donating to the pantry, it's just it's a way for people who don't have access to healthy foods to have healthy foods," Hanson said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A group of dedicated baton twirlers from Hamburg Township has turned their passion into perfection, capturing the title of world champions after countless hours of practice.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: Hamburg Township baton twirlers capture world championship title in Italy

Limited Edition Baton Corps proved that hard work and determination can take you anywhere, traveling from local competitions to the world stage in Italy to compete against twirlers from across the globe.

VIDEO: Check out some of the performance from the Limited Edition Baton Corps team Web extra: Baton twirling team

"As a team, we were all just thrilled to be going to Italy just to compete there and see all the different people twirling. It was just amazing," said Taylor Hack, an 11th-grade twirler with Limited Edition.

Coaches Tammy Albrecht and Shaelyn Thompson said when the season started, competing globally was never part of their original plans.

"Your whole life you're like, 'oh yeah, that'd be fun, whatever,' you know, but it wasn't ever really like on the radar that this is the path we're gonna take," Albrecht said.

But as the season progressed, the opportunity kept presenting itself.

"The opportunity kept coming, you know, came up and we took advantage of it," Albrecht said.

Just like that, these teens were jumping on an international flight for the first time to go head-to-head with baton twirlers from across the world.

"To go to like a different continent and see all the twirlers that are over there, there were so many, and it was just like amazing to see ... how different they are in twirling styles than we are," Hack said.

The team said when they arrived at the competition, that's when it hit them. The podium wasn't just a dream anymore.

"One of them was like 'wow, we worked so hard and it really paid off,' you know, so it was that's all we really wanted, we really wanted them to just be proud of their efforts and to feel that experience of 'wow, we made it to the world stage,'" Albrecht said.

"I mean, we were just there kind of to have fun, you know, we were like excited to just even be there," Hack said.

These girls exceeded their own expectations, making it to the podium with each performance and taking home the title of world champions in the junior parade division.

"We were all shocked we were all like checking with parents and our coaches and everything to like make sure it was true ... it was just such a surprise," said Kara Blanck, a twelfth-grade twirler with Limited Edition.

"To place on podium in all three events we didthat was just beyond exciting," Hack said.

But it was more than just taking home their medal and titles. It was the life experience and connections they say they'll carry with them forever.

"We would exchange like these little good love gifts and we really got to like make new bonds, but sometimes we didn't ... understand them, because ... they spoke different languages, but it was really fun," said Emily Emborsky, seventh-grade twirler with Limited Edition.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Sixteen-year-old Dakota Courington's life changed forever on a beautiful August day in 2024 when he was struck by a car.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: Hit-and-run suspect arrested a year after crash left teen fighting for his life

Nearly a year later, police have arrested a suspect, Felisha Racine Madison, who they believe was behind the wheel and fled the scene before officers arrived.

"He'll never be able to have a job. He'll never be able to get married. He'll never have to give me any grandchildren," said Jack Courington, Dakota's father.

Madison, who is from Adrian, was arrested on Aug. 19 by U.S. Marshals after fleeing to Flint. She was arraigned on Aug. 20 on a single charge of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in significant impairment.

"I'll put it this way, it's not something that God created. It had to be something that the devil has created in her," Jack said.

The father says he struggles with forgiveness after what happened to his son.

"And I try not to be so judgmental about it, but it's getting harder and harder and harder to, you know, you hit my kid and you ran him over and then you kept going and then went for a year without even turning yourself in. That's, that's a heartless person," Jack said.

Watch below: Our 2024 story on Dakota Courington fighting for his life after a hit-and-run

Teen fighting for his life after being hit by a car

Despite the devastating injuries, Dakota continues to make small progress in his recovery.

"He's starting to swallow a little bit more. He, moving his head more," Jack said.

Dakota's mother, Carrie Courington, says the arrest brought mixed emotions.

"Sigh of relief, but the stress coming from that next step and living it all over again" Carrie said.

The family believes Madison may have lived close to where the crash occurred.

"We have a feeling that she lived down the street from where he got hit, but at that point, we, you know, we can't point fingers," Jack said.

As they look toward the future, the Couringtons are focused on bringing Dakota home before the holidays.

"I think he's more homesick right now, and so does the hospital staff," Jack said.

Throughout their ordeal, the family says their community has provided unwavering support.

"I couldn't be any more happy with my community. They have been fabulous for us the whole time through this whole ordeal," Jack said.

While they wait for justice, the Couringtons say they're putting their faith in God.

"Justice for Dakota, that's the main thing is justice for Dakota. Dakota didn't deserve anything that this person did to him," Jack said.

"God has done this for a reason. I don't know what it is. I don't question him, but I do believe that he put, he put all together for a reason, and that he will come out with it when it's time," Jack said.

After 17 years of dedicated service to Wayne County, sheriff's office horse Hogan is hanging up his badge and bridle for a well-deserved retirement.

Hogan has worked alongside Sgt. Lacey Polderdyke of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Parks Division and Mounted Unit since 2022, forming an unbreakable bond that has made his retirement decision particularly difficult.

Watch the video report below: Sheriff's office horse Hogan retires after 17 years of service to Wayne County

"If you love something, let it go and I love him so much and so he will be, it'll be really good for him," Polderdyke said.

The decision to retire Hogan wasn't easy for Polderdyke, who has been with the sheriff's department since 2008. She joined the mounted unit when Sheriff Raphael Washington approached her about the specialized role.

"I said well, I don't know anything about horses, so probably motor. And he said you can even do mounted. So that's why he's the sheriff he knows best," Polderdyke said.

Washington emphasized the importance of mounted units in community safety and engagement.

"We use our horses for crowd control, we use our horses for festivals, we use our horses for just to work in the parks here that we have to patrol. So it's very important for us," Washington said.

While Polderdyke's first year with the mounted unit was stressful, she developed an unexpected bond with her four-legged partner.

I was terrified for the first year every time I was on him until he and I really started bonding, and then I could feel every little twitch and every electromagnetic charge, Polderdyke said.

A retirement fit for royalty

Hogan will spend his golden years at McIntosh Ranch, a hobby farm owned by Julie McIntosh. She knew she had to make space for Hogan before Polderdyke even asked.

"Hogan is Ace's best buddy. They need to be together. I've got the room. I've got the love," McIntosh said.

Ace, Hogan's longtime companion who spent 17 years with him, retired in February at age 28. Now the two horses will be reunited in retirement.

"He will not be even mildly inconvenienced. I don't have a chiropractor or a masseuse, but they get chiropractic, massage. They wander around my 7 acres eating grass," McIntosh said.

McIntosh is committed to giving Hogan the retirement he deserves after years of public service.

"He worked really, really hard for Wayne County for a long time, and now it's time for him to relax and just let me work for him," McIntosh said.

For Polderdyke, this new chapter is bittersweet, but she knows Hogan has earned his peaceful retirement.

"Hogan's the heart horse, so anybody who knows about horses knows you usually only have one heart horse," Polderdyke said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

New guidelines in Livonia are changing which students qualify for bus transportation, leaving some parents concerned about safety and scheduling challenges.

Some families who have relied on school buses for years will now have their children walking up to a mile to school, following Livonia Public Schools' update to their decades-old routing software.

Watch the video report below: Livonia parents concerned as school bus route changes force some students to walk

"I was shocked," said Laurie Welty, a mother to a high school student who previously took the bus.

Holly Mlynek, a mother of two children, ages 5 and 9, faces a particularly difficult situation as both her kids will now be expected to walk about a mile to school.

"It's a 20-minute walk down 6 Mile (Road) through a neighborhood over a bridge that I'm not sure gets maintained in the winter to the back of the school," Mlynek said.

For business owners like Mlynek and her husband, the change creates significant scheduling challenges.

"Other people rely on us as well for their scheduling, and shortening our work days can be kind of tricky," Mlynek said.

Safety remains the primary concern for many parents, including Welty, whose high school son must now cross major roadways.

"He's crossing two major roads with five lanes of traffic and with school starting early in the morning he's in high school he's gonna be walking in the dark at 6:30 a.m. to get to school," Welty said.

According to Livonia Public Schools, the changes affect less than 1% of bus riders. The district also noted that while some families are being moved to walk zones, others will receive bus service for the first time.

Parents expressed frustration about the timing of the announcement, which came just weeks before the start of school.

"It's really hard for parents at the last minute to figure out new scheduling, where they're gonna drop their kid off, who's gonna drop them off if they already had a schedule in place or somebody to do that. Now they have to find somebody else within two weeks to do that," Mlynek said.

"I know he's in high school, but he's 15 and to send him out in the dark to walk 45 minutes, I'm not OK with that," Welty said.

A representative of Livonia Public Schools says they are reviewing special circumstances on a case-by-case basis, and parents can appeal the changes with the district.

More information on the appeals process can be found on the district's website.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.