October 10, 2024 | Articles Homepage News Philanthropy The Pistons
Detroit Pistons game at MSU offers Tom Gores the chance to give back to Flint community
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Most of the focus Tuesday night was on the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns playing a preseason game on the Michigan State campus.
With Platinum Equity Founder and CEO Tom Gores (Pistons owner) and Mat Ishbia (Suns owner) both being MSU graduates, the game served as a recognition that the school has produced three current NBA owners (the Cleveland Cavaliers are owned by Dan Gilbert).
But game also was an opportunity for Gores to continue his philanthropic efforts geared to assist underserved communities in the Flint area, where he grew up.
Gores and his wife, Holly, partnered with long-time philanthropic partner the United Way of Genesee County to distribute 300-plus tickets to kids and senior citizens in the Flint area for the game. Buses were chartered to provide transportation to East Lansing. One bus carried children from the Boys and Girls Club; another bus had kids from the Crim Fitness Foundation sports programs; another carried members of a senior center.
For Gores, who admitted to having “goosebumps” remembering his college experiences while riding to the Breslin Center, said he was “blessed” to be in position to provide such experiences.
“I’ve been so blessed, and I feel very fortunate to be able to come back here, bring the Pistons to Breslin, and to bring a group of kids from my hometown in Flint out here for the game,” Gores said before the Suns’ 105-97 victory before an exuberant crowd.
“It’s nice to be able to give back.”
One group of kids, wearing blue Boys and Girls Club All-Stars T-shirts, were seated in the end zone closest to the Pistons bench. They cheered throughout the game and became very demonstrative when trying to attract the attention of Pistons entertainment teams during the T-shirt giveaway in the fourth quarter.
Such experiences are important to the United Way’s mission.
“It may seem routine to just hop in a car and go to Little Caesars or go to the Breslin Center to watch the game, or watch on TV,” said United Way VP Jamie-Lee Venable. “The people that we’re helping often don’t have a TV and they don’t experience something that you and I take for granted every day. To them, this is like a vacation.
“That’s why these things that Tom and Holly do are so important. Not many donors think about the moments and the family experiences like Tom does, and that’s crucial.”