A Very Merry Oozemas - Christmas Toy Drive for Detroit Kids
September 30, 2020
Throughout the month of December, Ooze Wholesale and the Shelby Jane Seyburn Foundation have teamed up to collect toys from all over Detroit, to be donated to 500 children in the community for Christmas. These toys were distributed at a holiday party event to give underprivileged kids a fun and festive holiday experience.
“Our Oozegiving turkey drive was a massive success,” said Ooze Wholesale President Dan Hannawa. “With the help of our friends at the Foundation, and each generous donor who brought food with them to the dispensary, we were able to provide a full Thanksgiving dinner for 200 Detroit families. Being able to give back to the community in this way is at the heart of the reason why we do what we do.”
21 dispensaries in the Detroit area have opted to participate in this charitable effort. Each location had a collection bin inside, ready to collect new toys in original packaging. These were the same participating locations that assisted in collecting food for the Oozegiving turkey drive in November.
“We were honored to collaborate with Ooze and give away Thanksgiving dinners to so many deserving families in Detroit this year,” said The Shelby Jane Seyburn Foundation Director Alisa Seyburn. “And we are excited to come together again to bring hope and spirit to hundreds of children and their families this season. For so many kids and families the holidays are difficult. Many have significant trauma that taints the warm season. But together we can defeat trauma and bring love and joy into their hearts. The true meaning of the holiday season!”
In total, over 2,000 gifts were collected and distributed to Detroit children at the Impact Church in Detroit. This event was a fun, festive holiday party for children who may not be so lucky to have a fun celebration. In addition to the distribution of gifts, Santa, his elves and real reindeer were there for photos, there were plenty of holiday crafts, and lunch was provided for all attendees.
The Ooze Foundation plans to make Oozemas a yearly tradition, with the goal of expanding so we can give back to even more kids. We have found that our community is so willing to give back, that we are excited to have this Foundation as a vehicle to host even more events and benefit even more people in need.
The Ooze Foundation turned our Oozemas holiday toy drive into a drive-thru event this year. 800 toys were given away to underpriviledged Detroit kids ages 0 all the way up to 18.
The second annual Oozegiving Thanksgiving food drive was a success! We increased our meal total from 200 to 250, providing a turkey, bag full of side dishes, and a pie for families who may have otherwise gone without.
For the third year, the Ooze Foundation has collected funds from pink Ooze products sold in October to benefit the Shades of Pink Foundation. We are thrilled to be able to donate almost $10,000 more than last year, which will benefit 15 local patients and their families.