🌱 Humane Society Helps 17,000 Pets + Islamic Society Gives Back

Hey, friends. Miranda Fraraccio here with your fresh copy of the Birmingham Daily. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around. High: 68 Low: 51.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society reported making 85 transport trips to save pets' lives this last year. Just 10 years ago, the society made only two transport trips in a year. In total, the organization says it has served an estimated 17,000 pets this year. (WBRC)
2. The Birmingham Islamic Society from nearby Hoover donated 800 pounds of halal chicken a month to the Blazer Kitchen food pantry. The pantry provides food to students and faculty at University of Alabama in Birmingham. About 150 of the roughly 750 students and 25 or so employees who use Blazer Kitchen get halal chicken through the food pantry. (Hoover Sun)
3. The Downtown YMCA in Birmingham will close its doors this weekend after 100 years of serving the community. A statement from YMCA Greater Birmingham said the closure is due to declining membership and a shift in the workforce. (BirminghamWatch)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Noon Years Eve 2022 At McWane Science Center (11:30 AM)
• Celebrate 2023 At Bocca Ristorante (5:00 PM)
• Ring In The New Year At Bistro Two Eighteen (5:00 PM)
• Ring Ring Ring In 2023 At Dave & Buster's (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you're looking for a unique, high-quality coffee experience, look no further than Santos Coffee. The Guatemalan coffee shop is opening its third location in Birmingham. The new coffeehouse will take up the space formerly occupied by Gentry's Pharmacy. (Bham Now)
• Kindness goes a long way, and if you're looking for a great opportunity to volunteer in the community, or you're a non-profit seeking more volunteers, here's your chance to find the perfect fit! The nearby Hoover Public Library will be hosting its second Kindness Summit on Friday, Feb. 17. The summit aims to help people learn more about volunteer opportunities in the community. (Hoover Sun)
• Celebrations are an awesome way to enjoy holidays and events like the New Year, but leave the gun at home. The Birmingham Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department would like to remind residents that celebratory gunfire is illegal and can damage property or injure people. (Birmingham Police Department, Alabama via Facebook)

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That's it for today. Happy New Year!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.