Old Newsboys of Flint, Inc.

The Old Newsboys primary program is the Christmas Box. Children from low income families (185% of poverty or lower) or who suffer from special circumstances— sudden situation changes like homelessness or parental job loss— qualify for the program. The enrollment period runs from early November through late December.

Each Christmas Box contains:

• A Sweat Suit
• 2 pair of Socks and Underwear
• A warm winter hat and a pair of Winter Gloves
• Toothbrush, Toothpaste and Dental Floss
• A new age-appropriate gift.

•     In 2016, 6,468 children received a Christmas Box from the Old Newsboys.

 A lesser known but equally important program is the Coat and Shoe Program. A child missing school or play because they don’t have a coat or  pair of  shoes is both tragic and  very easy to fix. The  ONB issues  referrals to elementary and middle schools across Genesee County to provide coats and shoes to children K-6th grade that are in need. Once identified by school counselors or staff, the child receives a written referral to the ONB  office to receive a new coat and or a certificate for shoes.

 In the 2016/ 2017 School Year, the ONB provided over 700 children with new coats and or new shoes.

Referred to this program through the Red Cross or Resource Genesee, the ONB also sponsors the Emergency Box Program for families who have suffered a catastrophic loss from fire, flood, or other emergency. Depending upon what is available or can be gathered from friends of the Old Newsboys, the family receives clothing, hygiene products, and more. This is the only program in which the ONB utilizes gently used products.

 In 2016, 2 families received Emergency Boxes.

The Old Newsboys of Flint, Inc. (ONB) was formed when two of Detroit’s Old Newsboys Goodfellows visited Flint’s Buick Body Plant in 1924. Like Detroit, Flint had hundreds of children in desperate need. With leaders from the factory, the Police and Fire Captains, and several business and civic leaders the Old Newsboys hit the streets for their first newspaper sale. That first year, 210 children found Old Newsboys gifts under the tree. To date, more than 806,000 children have enjoyed gifts from the Old Newsboys.