Youth in Detroit and Flint Communities Enjoy Unexpected Holiday Surprise Thanks to the Gores Family
Charity Partners Include Toys for Tots, Voices for Children and The Salvation Army Downriver Corps
DETROIT (December 13, 2022) — Thanks to a generous contribution from Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, more than 10,000 toys, bicycles and tablets will be distributed to families in Detroit, Flint and surrounding neighborhoods this holiday season. U.S. Marines and volunteers of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program will host a special gift event for families and children in Detroit on December 13 while Voices for Children will be coordinating a similar event in Flint on December 15. Mr. Gores is also supporting The Salvation Army Downriver Corps with an additional $25,000 donation.
Tricycles with helmets will be gifted to all children under three. Children ages 4-7 will receive bicycles with helmets. Youth ages 8-10 will receive drones and those ages 11-13 will receive tablets.
Gores and his wife Holly support a number of Detroit-area causes focused on improving the quality of life for families in need and contributing to the revitalization of the region and the state. They both grew up in the area and have quietly supported holiday toy distributions across Michigan since 2006 and delivered over 145,000 gifts to families, according to a spokesperson for Mr. Gores.
The Gores family’s partnership with Toys for Tots began in 2009 and has delivered over 125,000 toys to more than 60,000 children. (Prior to aligning with Toys for Tots, Mr. Gores supported similar gift-giving programs through other organizations.) After supporting the programs as a “Secret Santa” for seven years, Mr. Gores agreed in 2013 to be identified in order to encourage others to join in with contributions of their own.
“Finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience every child deserves,” said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, Vice President of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Tom and Holly Gores have certainly gone above and beyond to help us bring that joy to children whose families have suffered so much. This has been an especially difficult year to raise support and collect toys, so Tom and Holly’s effort in support of the Marine Toys for Tots programs in Michigan will fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of thousands of less fortunate children who otherwise might have been forgotten.”
Voices for Children CEO Claudnyse Hollman said the donation will brighten the holidays for children who often never feel the joy of the season.
“Voices for Children is incredibly grateful to Tom and Holy Gores for being champions for child survivors. The youth served by Voices for Children Advocacy Center are in crisis. Without the center, they would struggle to navigate complex systems as the littlest survivors of abuse, human trafficking, and neglect. The Gores family is not only providing Christmas for these kids, but they are also providing the first of many childhood staples like bicycles and those special Christmas gifts you never forget,” said Hollman. “This generous gift is providing a Christmas for the communities most hurting, but also most resilient, little superheroes. Thank you for honoring their strength and bravery by bringing them Christmas joy!”
Shawn Sutter, Sr. – Lieutenant, Pastor, Administrator and Corps Officer for The Salvation Army Downriver Corps Community Center – said donations from the Gores family will bolster their current campaign and help reach additional families.
“The Salvation Army Downriver would like to thank Tom and Holly Gores for helping us provide gifts for over 700 Downriver families with children,” said Lt. Shawn. “We thank them for bringing the holiday spirit to the Downriver communities and showing our children the act of giving without expecting anything in return.”
About Tom Gores
Gores, a Flint native, is Owner of the Detroit Pistons and Chairman and CEO of global private equity firm Platinum Equity. He and his wife, Holly, a Detroit area native, have for many years supported a broad range of initiatives in Michigan focused on education, mentorship, health care, economic empowerment, public safety and improving the lives of people throughout the state. In 2016, Mr. Gores launched FlintNOW, a $10 million private sector campaign to support short- and long-term relief and revitalization initiatives in response to the Flint water crisis.
About Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 74-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness, and hope to less fortunate children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books, and other gifts collected and distributed by our Marines and volunteers during the Christmas season offer these children recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. Toys for Tots also provides support year-round to less fortunate families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus sending a message of hope beyond the holiday season. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Last year, the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7.4 million less fortunate children in over 800 communities nationwide. Since 1947, over 272 million children have been assisted. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, please visit www.toysfortots.org.
About Voices For Children
Voices for Children Advocacy Center works to intervene the alarming number of children who are victims of abuse by educating, empowering, and enlightening the community, school-aged children, and parents about prevention factors. Voices for Children leads the community in responding to victims of child abuse violence and works to break the cycle of abuse via prevention, and intervention programming, as well as community education. Voices for Children is dedicated to building healthy relationships and provides a continuum of services for persons of all ages who have been, or are at risk of being, victims of child abuse or neglect. Our agency’s model is grounded in a strengths-based, empowerment philosophy and incorporates best practices and evidence-based strategies. Services are completely free to the family. Voices for Children Advocacy Center creates a vital link between community services and victims of child abuse.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Salvation Army has been serving the Downriver communities for over 125 years. The Downriver Corps has a variety of programs that are aimed to feed the mind, body, and soul. These programs include Archery, Air Rifles, Music, Character Building, Golden Agers Ministry, Worship Services, and more. Feel free to stop by anytime to meet the Corps Officers and staff.
