Jussie Smollett surprises kids in Flint with holiday toy drive, donations

Jussie Smollett donated money to kids programs in Flint, Mich., while also organizing a backpack and Christmas toy drive for children.

Shawn Grant

Dec 25, 2019

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Jussie Smollett took holiday cheer to Flint, Mich., and donated money to kids programs, while also organizing a backpack and toy drive for Christmas.

The visit by Smollett to Flint was a surprise and was done in coordination with youth and environmental activist, Mari Copeny, aka Little Miss Flint. The duo surprised a school with the new toys and backpacks.

In addition to the toy drive, Smollett donated $10,000 to the Flint KIDS program, according to TMZ.

Jussie Smollett Donates $10k to Flint Kids Program https://t.co/XI8oidwJ0p

— TMZ (@TMZ) December 24, 2019

Last year, Smollett donated $125,000 to charities before the holidays, which included Flint KIDS and the Black AIDS Institute.

Parents of the children who recipients to the toys and backpacks from Smollett state the actor was in “great spirits” and made sure to provide to the children a feeling of a complete Christmas.

Smollett is currently counter suing the City of Chicago for malicious prosecution in regard to the attack he allegedly endured back in January. The Chicago Sun-Times reports lawyers representing the city and the police officers named in the suit are asking for a judge to throw out Smollett’s lawsuit because he could face more criminal charges for what is believed to be a fake hate crime.

The countersuit from Smollett stated the 16-count criminal indictment causes economic harm to the actor along with inflicting “humiliation, mental anguish and extreme emotional distress.”

“Smollett’s criminal proceeding is thus not over — an investigation into his potential crimes is ongoing and criminal charges may well be re-instituted,” the city’s lawyers wrote. “For this reason alone, Smollett’s malicious prosecution claim fails.”

Attorney Dan Webb has been named the special prosecutor for Smollett’s case but will also be investigating Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx for her decision to drop all charges against the Empire star. Foxx has admitted to mishandling the case, stating “Truth is, I didn’t handle it well.”