Hundreds of volunteers helped put a Detroit Back-2-School event together this weekend. When it started in 2014, this back-to-school store served 100 Detroit kids. Today, that number has soared to 900.

Watch Evan's report in the video player below Back-to-School event founded in 2014 helps provide 900 Detroit students with school supplies

There was no shortage of volunteers Sunday at Cesar Chavez Academy Upper Elementary.

We're having a back 2 school store for 300 children," said Lauren Koenigsberg, the Vice President of the National Council of Jewish Women Michigann (NJCW).

These are children that, Koenigsberg said, might otherwise not have this kind of access.

NJCW spent the last year raising funds to put this Back-2-School store together.

I was a teacher in Detroit for 35 years, so I'm well aware of the life these children lead, Koenigsberg said.

Koenigsberg says the goal of this drive is give children of low-income families a sense of independence.

Many of these children never get to shop, their parents bring home clothes for them many times its second-hand clothes," Koenigsberg said.

They give us pencils, colors, erasers," said fifth grader Christopher Garcia-Torres.

Besides those essential supplies, the 12-year-old also grabbed a new jacket.

My jackets are broken from the pockets, I cant put nothing in there," Christopher said.

From clothes to books, everything is new. This is high-quality stuff too.

Everything is brand new. We have been fundraising for a year to raise the money for this it costs us about 180 dollars a child," Koenigsberg said.

Christopher's Mom was especially excited to have an answer for her son.

Very good for the kids because he always where, when I have to work for my stuff," said Karla Garcia-Torres.

And for Koenigsberg, who taught in this city for 30 years, the store is an answer to how she wanted to spend her post-teaching career.

I've always felt in my heart Ive wanted to give back, and I feel so good about being able to do this and being able to do this for the people of Detroit," Koenigsberg said.

300 kids got to choose what they wanted at this year's back-2-school event, NCJW tell me the work continues this upcoming week, with another 600 Detroit children getting served with the help of social service agencies.

Sterling Heights has been named the safest big city in Michigan for six consecutive years, and newly appointed Police Chief Andy Satterfield is committed to continuing that legacy.

Watch Evan Sery's video report: New Sterling Heights police chief aims to maintain city's safety record

Satterfield, who was officially sworn in on July 14, comes to Sterling Heights after serving as a police captain in Troy. Though he's new to the position, he's familiar with the community.

"I lived here over 20 years ago for several years, right across the river by Henry Ford II High School. It's nice to come back and see all the changes that have been made to this city," Satterfield said.

When asked how he plans to maintain the city's impressive safety record, Satterfield emphasized community responsiveness.

"Just being responsive to citizens, any complaints, whether traffic or crime trends," Satterfield said.

Residents appear to appreciate the city's safety record. One resident noted, "You just have a feeling of safety, you don't have to worry about what's going on."

Another resident shared, "I don't feel like it's a big city, I know it is, but everything is right here, it's walkable, it's friendly."

Satterfield's first major assignment is overseeing security for Sterling Fest, a three-day event that attracts over 100,000 people annually. The festival begins this week, and preparations are already underway.

"So that's forefront on my mind, and everyone here, we have a good action plan in place to make sure it's safe," Satterfield said.

In his office, Satterfield keeps a photo of his grandfather as a reminder of perspective and gratitude.

"He worked in the copper mines of Tennessee. I keep that picture to remind myself I could be working a lot harder," Satterfield said.

This perspective helps the new chief appreciate his position and the responsibility it carries.

"There'll be a lot to learn. I know there is, but I'm excited and proud to be a part of this organization," Satterfield 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 Macomb County community is rallying behind a single mother while her 15-year-old son recovers in the hospital after being struck by a vehicle.

Keegan Lee Neff remains in critical condition at Detroit's Children's Hospital of Michigan following the crash that occurred last Wednesday. He is currently in a medically induced coma with multiple injuries.

Watch the video report below: Community rallies around mother, teen battling for his life after car hits him

"He broke his left tibia, another bone in his right leg, bruised lung causing a lot of issues with breathing. He obviously hit his head and has a lot of brain swelling," said Debra Neff, Keegan's mom.

The single mother explained that her son often takes walks to decompress.

"He said 'I'm going for my walk mom.' I was like 'OK,'" Debra Neff said.

Hear more from Debra Neff in the video player below: Extended interview: 'Just to know that you're not alone.' Mom speaks about community support after son hit by vehicle

Debra Neff says she's told Keegan several times not to walk along 26 Mile Road west of I-94, where the speed limit is 55 mph. According to investigators, Keegan ran onto the road.

"He's supposed to stay in the park. This time, he didn't," Debra Neff said.

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office reports that the investigation continues nearly a week after the incident. At this time, investigators say the driver was not at fault and was unable to stop his vehicle when Keegan ran onto 26 Mile Road. The driver remained at the scene, called 911 and even began life-saving measures.

"I don't know who you are, I don't know exactly what the circumstances were," Debra Neff said about the driver. "I can't imagine sitting there not knowing if the person I hit, especially a kid, is OK or not."

Doctors have told Debra Neff that her son's future recovery is uncertain.

"There's just signs of that already with the bleeding and things that have not worked, so he's not gonna be the same kid when he wakes up," Neff said.

Meanwhile, the community has stepped up to support the family. Neighbors Kalyn Agostini and Arcalia Hitzing, who are also single mothers, have organized fundraising efforts.

"We've been reaching out to everyone, didn't think it was gonna get this big," Hitzing said.

Their online fundraiser has already raised $3,500 as of Tuesday afternoon. Strawberry Field Restaurant in Chesterfield is hosting a dine-to-donate night this Thursday to help with medical expenses. A spaghetti dinner for Keegan, $15 a plate, is planned for Sunday at Debra Neff's neighborhood, Quail Run.

"We're both single mothers, we both have kids she has three kids, I have one. They're our entire world. I couldn't imagine being in this position," Agostini said.

If you'd like to help with Keegan's medical expenses, visit the online fundraising page.

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.

The community came together in Melvindale on Sunday to honor a fallen hero. Monday marks one year since Corporal Mohamed Said was gunned down in the line of duty. The young police officer's death and the manhunt for his suspected killer shook the community to it's core.

Watch our most recent reports in the video player below Melvindale comes together to honor Officer Said one year after death on job Melvindale comes together to honor Officer Said one year after death Watch our previous coverage Police service held for slain Melvindale police officer Mohamed Said 'We lost a hero.' Brother of fallen Melvindale officer said 'Mo' loved his community Melvindale community honors fallen officer with Memorial Day soccer tournament

Well be riding from here past the gravesite from the gravesite to the carwash where the pursuit was inititated," said Corporal Mohamed Hacham, Melvidale Police Department

The memorial ride marked an anniversary no one could have ever imagined.

Corporal Hacham was his partner.

The number one thing I miss is just working with him, when me and him were out there, we were just fighting crime," Corporal Hacham said.

Chief Robert Kennaley remembers that fateful day.

I got the phone call, i was at home doing stuff," the chief said. "I got on scene, it was total chaos, just a dream, you don't believe that it actually happened."

The suspect led Said on a chase in Melvindale, which tragically ended with a fatal gunshot wound.

Said was just 26 years old.

Ahmed Said, a Melvindale ordinance officer, is also Said's brother.

Especially with seeing all the motorcycles and police cars, it feels like it just happened," Said said. Everytime i go inside the department i feel my brother is in there and that's one of the reasons i kept going, cause that was the planning to be a police officer that was the plan between me and him."

We're all a family, we're all a team, and we're all gonna push forward to remember who Corproal Mohamed Said was, the chief said.