Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $30,000 gap could impact Birmingham families this winter

Make time for To Kill a Mockingbird on the Birmingham Patch calendar

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Saturday December 20th Patch AM
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Hey there, Birmingham! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $30,000 gap could impact Birmingham families this winter
  • Will Birmingham’s passenger boom finally bring more nonstop flights to BHM?
  • Which Birmingham nonprofits just landed over $1.5 million in new grants?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Birminghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 63 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Sunday: Pleasant with periods of sun, temps: high: 62, low: 43.
  • Monday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 63 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. With one week until Christmas, Birmingham Red Kettle donations not on pace to meet goal (abc3340.com) — The Salvation Army in Greater Birmingham is falling about $30,000 short of its $250,000 Red Kettle goal with just a week until Christmas, threatening funding for meals and shelter. Leaders say fewer volunteers and inflation are to blame, even as they sleep more than 165 people nightly and serve 500 meals a day. Residents can still donate or volunteer through Christmas Eve.
   

2. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth airport passenger traffic continues to climb in 2025 (bhamnow.com) — Passenger traffic at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is climbing, with more than 18,000 additional travelers using BHM this fall compared to last year. Airport officials say this steady growth strengthens their case for adding more nonstop routes, which could soon give Birmingham flyers more direct options and better connectivity into 2026.
   

3. 21 Birmingham nonprofits awarded $1.5M+ in grants from Navigate Affordable Housing (bhamnow.com) — More than 20 Birmingham-based nonprofits just received over $1.5 million in grants from Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, supporting everything from food access to maternal health and education. In total, Alabama organizations were awarded $2.9 million, the largest share among four states. Several groups, including Woodlawn United and Magic City Harvest, accepted their checks in person this week.
   

4. Birmingham welcomes largest class of new police officers (wvtm13.com) — Birmingham has just sworn in 89 new police officers, the largest graduating class in the department’s history, with many hitting neighborhood streets almost immediately. Leaders say happier officers and visible crime reduction are drawing more recruits, while new officer Jasity White hopes to connect with and positively influence local youth across the city.
   

5. Local activist Eric Hall speaks out after arrest, raises concerns about Birmingham jail conditions (wbrc.com) — Birmingham activist Eric Hall is using his recent arrest to spotlight what he describes as overcrowded, unsanitary conditions inside the Birmingham City Jail. After seeing those conditions firsthand, he says Black Lives Matter Birmingham helped bail several people out and is now urging city leaders to improve humane treatment and accountability for those in custody.
   

📸 Around Birmingham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Birmingham

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday December 20
  • Holiday Ham Giveaway - December 20, 2025 @ 8:00am - 9:00am - Irondale City Hall, 101 South 20th Street, Irondale, Al 35210 - Drive-Through Service - One Ham Per Household While Supplies Last
    Irondale City Hall , 101 20th St S , Irondale
    8:00 am
  • Saturday Class
    Acting Out Academy! , 3325 Rocky Ridge Plz Suite 221 , Vestavia Hills
    10:00 am
  • The Leaf Food Pantry Opening
    910 9th St , Midfield
    2:00 pm
  • Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
    Birmingham Museum of Art , 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard , Birmingham
    4:15 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My sister is missing her Grey and White kitten.
    He is probably about 4 mos old. She lives on Woodfern Ct in Homewood. If anyone in that area has seen him. I don't have a photo of him. Please be… (Nextdoor Hollywood-Shades Cahaba)
  • This dog was at my door as I was
    Leaving for work. I couldn’t get a good picture but looks like a bully. I couldn’t bring the dog in because I have a dog & I was going to be gone all… (Nextdoor Forest Brook)
  • Gray West Construction, Inc. posted a job opening for Sr. Construction Project Manager- Manufacturing Market in Birmingham. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Forklift Operator Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Birmingham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Birmingham here.

Ok Birmingham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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