Flint Native and Piston’s Owner Tom Gores Helping Local Kids This Christmas
Detroit Pistons owner, and Flint native, Tom Gores is "playing" Santa in a big way during the holiday season. He is making sure kids across the state have a very Merry Christmas, including those at Flint's Voices for Children Child Advocacy Center.
Gores, who attended Genesee High School, has been making the rounds in Michigan making sure children throughout the state have a wonderful Christmas. Gores and his family have donated more than 10,000 toys, bicycles, and more to families in Michigan just this month.
Thursday, Tom Gores's mission to spread joy this holiday season brought him right back home to Flint. The group delivered toys to more than 200 kids in the Genesee County area through Voices for Children, the center that works with children from right here in Flint who are victims of child abuse and neglect.
Gores and his wife Holly, along with the Pistons, partnered with the United Way to make the magic happen. The kids were treated to a special day that included pizza, fun with Pistons mascot Hooper, dancing, a photo booth, and even a visit with Santa himself.
"I watched the bravest little heroes receive so much joy from the kindness Tom and Holly provided them. For many of these kids, the last few years have been the toughest. Their innocence was taken, they suffered a major crisis, they just needed their hope restored. That’s what Tom and Holly did for these kids. We are so grateful to the Gores and the United Way for this amazing Holiday Blessing for the kids", Claudnyse Holloman, President & CEO of Voices for Children told us.
Earlier this week, the Gores along and the Detroit Pistons hosted a similar event in partnership with Toys for Tots in Detroit. More than 700 families lined up outside of Eastern Market to collect toys for more than 1,800 families according to Click on Detroit.
According to a Spokesperson, Tom Gores and his family have donated more than 135,000 gifts to families across Michigan since 2006.