Metro Detroit tattoo shop starts Christmas toy drive with a twist

In an effort to spread some Christmas cheer to local families, Motown Tattoo Company owner Tee Bullis held a toy drive with a twist Saturday: Customers who brought in new toys received free tattoos.

The drive, Tatts for Tots, was at his shop at Eastland Mall in Harper Woods, and the response has been overwhelming so far.

A Facebook video in late November announcing the toy drive received nearly 19,000 views, and Bullis said he expects a large crowd throughout the event.

"We're just trying to give back to the community," Bullis said. "My buddy Bennie Szczepkowski is a teacher at Beacon Elementary down the street, and he told me they have a handful of kids they'd like us to donate to. So that's what we're trying to do, we're trying to help as many families as we can."

The event, which started at noon, already had resulted in a pile of donated dolls, puzzle sets, LEGOs and more shortly after the shop opened.

"It's a blessing to be able to do this," Bullis said. 

Tattoo artist Michael Synod, who works at one of Bullis' other locations, said he volunteered to help out because he felt it was a cause he should support. 

"I think it's important to show people who don't have much that there are people willing to help them," Synod said. "There's so many people struggling at this time of the year so even with the smallest gesture, you never know what type of impact that could have."

John Pilgram, who owns a tattoo shop called Divine Art in Dallas, said he flew into Detroit from Texas just to help out for the event, and he plans to spend a couple hundred dollars on some toys.

"At the end of the day, we don't want people to feel left out," Pilgram said. "I've known Tee since we were young, and we came from poverty-stricken areas. Being a kid without toys on Christmas is a horrible feeling, so I just wanted to be here."

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