Third-Grader Mason Bonds Scores Big On and Off the Field
What’s better than winning tickets to see the Detroit Lions play at Ford Field?
For third grader Mason Bonds, it was helping those in need.
Last Sunday, Mason walked onto Ford Field for the first time ever to watch the Lions take on the Buffalo Bills. And while most kids would be buzzing about the game, Mason’s glow comes from a different kind of win.
Let me fill you in.
Mason’s school, Pine Knob Elementary in Clarkston, hosted a food drive to help fill the shelves at Calvary Lutheran Church. The stakes? Whoever collected the most food would win three Detroit Lions game tickets AND three field passes.
A dream prize, right? But Mason didn’t just dream—he delivered.
He hit the pavement, going door to door in his neighborhood, asking for canned goods. Then, he got creative. Mason turned old soda cans into cash and used it to buy even more food.
You know how many items he collected in just two weeks?
411.
Yep, this kid hustled for 411 nonperishable food items, all of which will be distributed to families in need through the nonprofit Lighthouse.
But get this—when asked if he was excited about the Lions tickets, Mason didn’t talk about the game first.
Nope.
He talked about helping others.
Rev. Bob Hegdal of Calvary Luther Church told CBS Detroit News, “This is going to help us fill well over 200 boxes of food for people.”
And he’s not alone. Thanks to Mason and his classmates, Pine Knob Elementary collected over 9,000 food items—that’s roughly 6,000 pounds of food!
This mission was powered by Driven Engineered Solutions in Canton, along with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who knows firsthand how hunger affects families. Gibbs has made it his mission to support the Detroit community, and Mason’s determination perfectly matched that energy.
When asked about his efforts, Mason said it best:
“It’s very exciting to help all the people in need.”
So, while Mason’s headed to Ford Field for an unforgettable Sunday, his greatest victory has already happened—and it’s feeding hundreds of families this holiday season.
Now that’s the kind of teamwork worth cheering for.
