More than 100 people gathered to watch 12 racers compete in the first All American Soap Box Derby in Flint in nearly 25 years. The exciting, day-long community event was held on North Chevrolet Avenue at Chevy Commons. Taking the championship was Grand Blanc East Middle School eighth-grader, Chase McCallum (at right). He qualified to compete at the 82nd annual First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby Race Week, scheduled for July 14-20 in Akron, OH.

Flint’s event season kicks off with this annual “art-rageous” affair. Attendees enjoyed cutting-edge cuisine – including hors d’ oeuvres and desserts served by robots – before dancing the night away. Funds raised cover bus transportation and art materials for elementary and secondary students participating in FIA education programs.

This annual event benefits the programs of The Flint Institute of Music: Flint Symphony Orchestra, Flint School of Performing Arts and Flint Repertory Theatre. The evening included cocktails and appetizers, silent and live auctions, dinner, live music by FSO musicians and a dance performance by FSPA students.

The Flint area’s longest-running lip sync review returned for its 13th year with performances by a host of local celebrities, community members and MCC staffers, lip-syncing to music from Motown and other record companies. ELGA Credit Union was the title sponsor, with all proceeds assisting students with their academic goals at MCC.

On a lovely spring evening, nearly 5,000 enthusiastic soccer fans filled Atwood Stadium for the exciting home-opener exhibition match. The hometown team thrilled the crowd with plenty of action and a 1-0 win.

Folks turned out in fancy hats and bowties for the inaugural Derby Day fundraiser hosted by The Contemporaries. In addition to watching The Run for the Roses, attendees enjoyed food, music and a silent auction with items from Neiman Marcus, Sugarfina: A Luxury Candy Boutique, and more.

Greater Flint laced up their finest sneakers and gathered again for a fabulous party to support Whaley Children’s Center’s mission of providing care to Michigan’s abused, neglected and at-risk children and families. The glamorous evening included silent and live auctions, a fabulous meal, live music and dancing.

This annual brunch and champagne reception benefits the shelter animals of The Humane Society of Genesee County. In its 21st year, the event featured a live auction and silent auction offering nearly 50 goods and services. This year’s donations will help the shelter build new kennels.

Participants of this annual family-fun event donned their favorite superhero costumes and gathered at Flint Farmers’ Market for a timed 5K Run and 5K Walk with age-group awards, and a non-competitive 1K Family Fun Run. The course included the beautiful Applewood Estate and every finisher received a custom superhero finisher’s medal. All proceeds benefit the Voices for Children Advocacy Center.

This event was a launch party for Making Memories from Scratch, a collection of recipes and memories from Mott students, faculty and staff compiled by Debra Gibes (at left), with proceeds to benefit the Mott Eats Food Pantry. Attendees enjoyed food prepared by the MCC Culinary Arts program, giveaways, music by the MCC Jazz Band, food-themed artwork including pottery bowls for purchase made by MCC Art students, family-friendly activities and food demonstrations.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Paint Our Town Blue, an initiative of Whaley Children’s Center, is a public awareness campaign promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Genesee County through education and increased attention to this epidemic. According to a Whaley press statement, the aim is to raise attention to its prevalence and the long-term impacts it has on child development, as well as social and economic conditions in the entire community.

On Bake Fresh Friday, which took place on March 29 of this year, Mott Community College Culinary Arts students and faculty from the Baking and Pastry Arts program, took the time to teach residents of Carriage Town Ministries basic baking skills. The students, under the direction of Chef David Miller, worked one-on-one with residents from 9:30am to 1:30pm as part of the project. The project is funded by a matching grant from Rotary District 6330 and the Genesee Valley Rotary Club.