Tom Gores Flint Water, Owner To Help Flint

© Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports

Pistons owner plans to raise $10 million for Flint - Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores announced plans to raise $10 million to help those impacted by the water crisis in his native Flint, Mich.

“The issues facing Flint won’t be solved solely through government intervention and emergency support,” Gores said in a statement that announced the initiative on Thursday. “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.”

Flint’s water system leached lead-tainted water for months before supply was shut down, forcing residents to rely on bottled water for weeks now. Gores said the fund-raising efforts have short-term goals, including helping ensure residents have clean drinking water.

The initiative will also focus on the creation of nutritional and health campaigns for children, who were put at risk of a whole host of health issues by the lead exposure. Gores’ campaign also seeks to support the long-term economic health of Flint and surrounding cities, according to the news release.

Gores, who runs a private equity firms, is worth an estimated $3.3 billion, according to Forbes. He played football, basketball and baseball at Flint’s Genesee High and currently resides in Beverly Hills.