A local student from Metro Detroit received a surprise gift of free tickets to a Detroit Lions game after donating over 400 items to a food drive.
Mason Bonds, a third grader at Pine Knob Elementary School in Clarkston, made a significant impact by contributing more than 400 items to a food drive organized by Calvary Lutheran Church.
His generous donation earned him free tickets to this weekend’s Detroit Lions game at Ford Field against the Buffalo Bills.
“I felt like I did something really good,” said Mason, reflecting on his charitable act.
Mason was the top contributor at his school, which collected over 6,000 pounds of food. His contribution stood out, as he raised funds by collecting and returning old pop cans, then used the money to purchase food for the pantry.
“The cans really helped out because there were so many of them,” he explained.
Mason was motivated to help others by his favorite Detroit Lions player, Jahmyr Gibbs.
“He’s one of my favorites,” Mason said.“He didn’t have a lot of money at first, and we love helping people in need. So, by helping others, it’s like helping Gibbs.”
Katrina Rivenburg, the coordinator of the food drive, praised Mason and other children for their efforts. “Kids like Mason make all the difference,” she said.
“They’re already putting together boxes for families, so it’s not just sitting on the shelves. That brings me so much joy.”
The food drive was a huge success, with Pine Knob Elementary exceeding expectations.
Riven burg was impressed by the collective effort. “This definitely surpassed what I thought we’d raise,” she said.
For Mason, receiving the tickets was exciting, but he stressed that the real reward was the opportunity to help others. “It would be cool to win the tickets, but helping people in need is even better,” he said.
Mason’s kindness and the generosity of other students at Pine Knob Elementary are proof that small acts of charity can lead to meaningful change, making a real difference in the lives of those in need.