Pistons Owner Donates Bikes to Families in Need and $25,000 to The Salvation Army
Christmas and New Years is over, trees and lights taken down and new year’s resolutions are put into action. We at The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit would like to begin the new year with gratitude for all those who have given over the holidays. Gifts from individuals at the kettles and corporate donations of food and funds went a long way in helping spread Love Beyond Christmas.
In addition to the numerous Toy Shops which took place at Corps Community Centers across the state, and Bank of America’s generous donation of Bountiful Boxes, Piston’s owner Tom Gores provided more than 10,000 Bicycles and Tablets to families in need.
The toys were distributed through the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, which hosted a special gift event for families and children in Detroit on December 13.
Tricycles with helmets were gifted to children under three. Children ages 4-7 received bicycles with helmets. Ages 8-10 received drones and 11-13 received tablets as part of the donation. Mr. Gores supported The Salvation Army Downriver Corps with an additional $25,000 donation.
“All children should experience the joy of receiving gifts during the holiday season,” said Gores. “There’s nothing better than children smiling and experiencing real joy.”
Gores and his wife Holly have been supporting holiday toy distributions across Michigan since 2006 and delivered over 145,000 gifts to families, according to a spokesperson for Mr. Gores.
The Salvation Army Downriver Corps’ Lieutenant Shawn Sutter expressed his gratitude for the generous gifts which helped reach additional families and bolstered the 2022 Red Kettle Christmas Campaign.
“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.”
This generous gift from the Gores is a great reminder that there is still time to give. You can help us reach the nearly $800,000 left of our Red Kettle Campaign goal by donating by the end of January! There are also numerous volunteer opportunities at Salvation Army Corps across the Metro Detroit area.