Flint Firebirds 7th Annual Old Newsboys of Flint Toy Drive Helped Raise Over $18,000

Flint, Mich. – For the 7th season in a row, the Flint Firebirds Hockey Club and the Old Newsboys of Flint partnered for their annual toy drive to ensure that “no child be forgotten” during the holiday season, on Saturday, December 10th. This year’s event raised $18,084.00 and collected over 500 toys to be distributed to families in need around Genesee County. 

“Partnering with the Flint Firebirds this season has allowed the Old Newsboys of Flint to help over 700 children and families during Christmas,” Director of Finance for the Old Newsboys of Flint Heather McMullen said. “We are grateful to the Flint Firebirds, Dort Financial Credit Union, LJ Inc., and to everyone who donated in joining us to help those who are struggling during the holiday season and everyone’s ongoing commitment to giving back to our community.” 

In addition to the toy drive, the Flint Firebirds partnered with the Old Newsboys of Flint for a specialty jersey fundraiser. 

“The Flint Firebirds always look forward to this annual partnership with the Old Newsboys of Flint to help collect toys & raise funds to help those in need in Genesee County during the holiday season,” President of the Flint Firebirds Jeremy Torrey said. “Having the opportunity to help make a difference in our community is extremely important to our organization and is part of our commitment to make Flint and Genesee County a better place to work, live and play”. 

About the Old Newsboys of Flint:

The Old Newsboys of Flint, Inc. was formed when two of Detroit’s Old Newsboys Goodfellows visited Flint’s Buick Body Plant in 1924. Like Detroit, Flint had children in desperate need of just basic need items. With leaders from the factory, several businesses and civic leaders as well as police and fire chiefs, the old Newsboys hit the streets for their first newspaper sale. That first year, 210 children across Genesee County received basic need items such as clothing along with age-appropriate gifts from the Old Newsboys of Flint. Since 1924, the Christmas Program has put gifts under the tree for more than 835,125 children across Genesee County. It is our longest-running and highest impact program providing children with a sweat suit, two pairs of socks and underwear, a winter hat, a pair of warm gloves, a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and an age-appropriate gift. In 2021, this program brought gifts to 5,125 children ages newborn through high school. The Old Newsboys staff, board and volunteers are committed to improving the quality of life for the children within Genesee County, doing it one child at a time.

About the Flint Firebirds:

The Flint Firebirds are a proud member of the prestigious Ontario Hockey League (OHL) based in Flint, Michigan.  The team is part of the West Division of the Western Conference in the OHL, known as the premiere development league for the NHL. Since the Flint Firebirds’ inception three years ago in 2015, the club has now had 24 drafted or NHL-signed players on its roster. The Firebirds players generally ranging in ages between 16-20, play their home games at the Dort Financial Center in Flint between October and March.

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