Ilitch Companies Colleagues Continue Tradition of Volunteering at The Children’s Center’s ‘Holiday Shop’ for 10th Consecutive Year

For the 10th consecutive year, colleagues from the Ilitch Companies Foundation, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers served as “elves” for The Children’s Center’s Holiday Shop.

Each year, Midtown Detroit’s The Children’s Center offers a Holiday Shop for families who participate in the center’s programs, providing an opportunity for parents and guardians to select a few gifts for their children. The Children’s Center’s mission is to lead the way in working with children who struggle with behavioral, emotional, educational, intellectual and developmental challenges or may have experienced trauma.

December 9 was the “kickoff” of the annual Holiday Shop, where 500 families are signed up to shop for children within their household. Those 500 guardians usually end up shopping for holiday gifts for 1500-plus children.

“We cannot in our own strength put on an event like this, so we are grateful to the Ilitch Companies who volunteer support and provide donations,” said Wanda Burke, Enrichment Project Specialist at The Children’s Center. “I think it’s very special that the Ilitch Companies identify The Children’s Center as a specific priority that they want to engage in every year.”

For the second straight year, Tigers right-handed pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long and his family also volunteered at the kickoff event for the Holiday Shop and donated 25 winter coats.

“I brought my mom, Lili, her wife, Teresa, and my girlfriend, Carly,” Gipson-Long said. “This is our idea of Christmas. We like to give back; it is the season of giving and this is how we celebrate the holiday.”

Gipson-Long and his family have a tradition of giving back for the holidays, and he is an example of how the Ilitch Companies Foundation aims to connect Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers players with the local community.

Volunteers at the Holiday Shop assisted guardians with selecting, wrapping and carrying their gifts. Ilitch Sports + Entertainment colleagues donated the wrapping paper for guardians to use.

"Our partnership with The Children's Center is deeply meaningful to us, and we are honored to support their impactful initiatives year-round,” said Shannon Lapsley, Director of Foundations, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “We are proud to stand alongside The Children's Center, fostering a spirit of giving and community to ensure every child experiences the magic and happiness of the season."