Hi everyone. My name is Mari Copeny, I’m 18 years old, and you may know me as “Little Miss Flint” even though I’m not so little anymore. I'm an activist, advocate, and philanthropist. I'm also a Flint kid that loves giving back to Flint kids. I host several events throughout the year, including a back-to-school backpack and supply giveaway, an Easter Egg hunt, book giveaways, a snack program called #OpSnack and more.

Since 2016, I have been doing an annual Christmas event for the kids in my community. The first year was just a small toy drive but every single year I was able to expand my event and add more elements and resources. Every year I try to outdo myself from the previous year. I love Christmas, and being able to spread the magic of Christmas to other kids is my favorite thing to do. Every year I make sure to include activities that add even more holiday spirit to the event, including stocking stuffing, cookie decorating, an exotic animal petting zoo, live reindeer, a hot cocoa bar, an elf adoption center, arts and crafts, inflatables, coat giveaway and a Black Santa. This year we are adding a resource fair, live performances, and hopefully a holiday food drive and barbers/hairstylist.

This is my 10th year doing my holiday event, and the need in the community is greater now than ever before. Knowing the has increased, we will try to help as many families as possible. We have been averaging about 1,000 kids every year and that is also the goal for this year.

This year we are going to be serving from newborn to high school. As you may know several local Christmas programs like toys for tots cut off the age to be able to receive gifts to just 12 years old. Salvation Army has also closed their sign ups for help this holiday season, that’s how massive the need is.

Cost breakdown

-1,000 kids sponsored at $60 per child including stocking stuffers, a small toy, a medium toy and a large toy($60k)

-100 bikes, average cost per bike is $57 ($5700)

-inflatables, supplies for crafts, cookie decorating, the hot cocoa bar, a bags for the toys ($2000)

-Live Reindeer ($1500)

-Truck cost from the food bank ($1-$2k)

-Hats, gloves and scarfs ($800)

-coats ($3000)