Tom Gores, a Flint native who owns the Detroit Pistons, and his wife Holly donated Christmas gifts to kids at Voices for Children in Flint on Wednesday evening.
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – More than 140 children in the Flint area had brighter smiles on Wednesday thanks to a special Christmas giveaway event.
Flint native and Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, along with the United Way of Genesee County and Voices for Children, hosted the event for children in need.
The halls of Voices for Children were filled with joy as Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper and a multitude of gifts greeted the children.
Voices for Children works to ensure that local children affected by trauma have a memorable Christmas. Each child received every gift from their wish list and had the chance to meet Santa and the Pistons Entertainment team.
Duncan Murdock, who is Tom Gores’ brother-in-law, emphasized the importance of the organization.
“It’s an important organization because there are a lot of kids who have been abused in all sorts of ways. Tom and Holly, when they came into this organization, it was all about putting smiles and love back in the hearts of these kids,” Murdock said.
Voices for Children President and CEO Nyse Holloman said the annual gift from the Pistons is a highlight for the kids that the organization is serving.
“We’re talking about kids who have been through abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, human trafficking, witnesses to violence — all of these different things,” she said. “Those kids leave with everything — not just one thing, everything.”Â
Holloman was busy ensuring the event ran smoothly Wednesday.
“We’re working with partners from United Way, Platinum Equity, the Pistons. It’s a community effort. Our board is here. We’re making it happen because what we realize with these kids is that this moment is pivotal. This is what memories are made from,” Holloman said.
This marks the fifth year that Gores has donated to Voices for Children. Murdock said the Gores family will always give back to Flint.Â
“For Tom, it’s very important and it’s deep in his heart,” said Murdock. “Everything, down to the Flint water crisis, to what we’re doing today, but at the holiday time for Tom and Holly, this is what it’s all about. They want to see the smiles on children’s faces.”
Since 2006, the Gores family has supported holiday toy distributions across the state, delivering more than 165,000 gifts to families.
The event also inspired recipients to give back, including Murlean Wiley, a grandmother of four. Each of her granddaughters received their own gift bag with everything on their wish list.
“I’m praying for next year that I can come and volunteer and help,” Wiley said.
The partnering organizations focused on creating smiles, laughter and joyful memories this holiday season.
