Nine-year-old Mason Bonds, a student at Pine Knob Elementary, earned three tickets to this Sunday’s Bills-Lions game after winning a school-wide food drive competition.

Mason collected an impressive 411 cans of non-perishable food to help families in need, the highest amount of any student.

NWhen Mason’s name was announced as the winner, he couldn’t hear it clearly because his classmates were excitedly cheering.

But he quickly figured it out when someone came in and handed him the tickets to his first-ever Lions game. While Mason is thrilled to attend the game, he says the real reward is being able to help others.

“I hope people who have enough will give to those who are in need,” Mason said.

The cans collected through the food drive were stored at Calvary Lutheran Church in Clarkston before being distributed by the Lighthouse to hundreds of families across Oakland County.

The success of the drive was not just due to Mason’s efforts but the collective involvement of the whole school.

Katrina Rivenburgh, from Driven Engineered Solutions, which collaborated with Lions’ player Jahmyr Gibbs on the drive, shared that the students collectively gathered 9,200 items, totaling more than 6,000 pounds of food and other supplies.

In addition to food, students donated health and beauty items like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

Many students went door-to-door and created flyers to encourage donations, showing their dedication.

Mason had a blast participating in the drive and is excited about meeting his favorite player, Jahmyr Gibbs, at the game. He’s already planning to ask for an autograph.

Mason’s contribution, alongside the efforts of his classmates, made a significant impact, ensuring that many families in the area will receive much-needed support this holiday season.