DETROIT – Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores is pledging $10 million to Flint relief efforts.
The CEO of Platinum Equity announced Thursday a private sector campaign to raise the money and deploy operational resources to help address the water crisis in Flint.
Gores, a Flint native, said he would rally business and civic leaders.
“The issues facing Flint won’t be solved solely through government intervention and emergency support,” Gores said. “The private sector needs to play role here, and I am committed to helping drive that effort. I grew up in Flint, my family has strong roots there, and I believe in the people who live there.”
The campaign will focus on three core priorities:
1. Immediate support for short-term relief efforts to ensure access to safe drinking water and infrastructure associated with volunteer programs, distribution of resources and other logistics.
2. Funding for programs that help children, including healthy food and nutrition campaigns, as well as education and healthcare initiatives.
3. Long-term support for economic development and revitalization initiatives in Flint and surrounding communities.
“Families and children who live in Flint are suffering, but this is a national issue,” Gores said. “Flint was once a cornerstone of American industry that gave a lot to this country. We need help now more than ever and ask that people from coast to coast continue stepping up.”