Detroit, MI
A ‘great’ Detroit father’s final wish gets granted — as helicopter drops money and rose petals from the sky
Making it rain one last time.
A Detroit man’s dying wish to have thousands of dollars fall from the sky by helicopter as his “last blessing” to his community was honored by his family last month.
Darrell “Plant” Thomas, a 58-year-old car wash owner in East Detroit known for his generosity, died after a battle with Alzheimer’s on June 15, and wanted to have a dramatic send–off.
At his funeral on June 27, his sons organized a helicopter to drop $5,000 and rose petals on unsuspecting mourners as they honored their father at the event held on Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street.
“This was a final expression of love from him to the community because he was a giver,” Thomas’s niece, Crystal Perry, told the Detroit Free Press.
“Yesterday was simply a farewell tribute to an Eastside legend.”
Footage from the event shows a helicopter hovering in a clear blue sky, while petals and money rain down, causing people to scream with excitement and rush to catch them on the ground.
In other videos, people are seen happily scooping up bills from the street, bending down to grab handfuls of cash as it floated across the pavement.
Traffic along the six-lane road of Gratiot Avenue came to a standstill for several minutes as funeral goers and onlookers rushed to grab some of the cash.
However, instead of turning into mayhem with people trying to fill their pockets, the crowd remained calm as they went for the money.
“Everybody got a little bit,” Lisa Knife, an employee at the nearby Airport Express Lube & Service, told the Detroit News of the surreal scene.
Knife said she didn’t rush to grab the money, but took the moment to admire how the gesture brought members of the Motor City community together.
“There was no fighting, none of that. It was really beautiful,” Knife said.
One of Thomas’s sons, Dante — better known as “Smoke” — told Fox 2 Detroit that he added some of his own cash and that the gesture was the least they could do to honor a man so beloved in his community.
“Detroit, y’all might not know who my father was, but he was a great father,” Smoke said.
“Among his community he was a legend, and he blessed everyone and that was his last blessing to everyone. That’s all it was. Many blessings to everyone and long live Plant. Long live Plant that’s it.”
The Detroit Police Department briefly closed off traffic to allow the crowd to enjoy Thomas’s final send-off safely. They were aware of the rose petals — but said they were surprised by the money.
Police said they are not investigating the incident. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation.
Thomas owned Showroom Shine Express, a business he poured his heart into for decades, and was known to many as a passionate professional race car driver with the National Hot Rod Association.
A Detroit tradition is back as the Detroit Artists Market (DAM) unveils its annual Art for the Holidays exhibition and sale, showcasing nearly 1,500 handmade works created by almost 100 local artists. The event, kicking off today, Friday November 14 and running through Saturday December 20, 2025, offers an expansive selection of ceramics, textiles, paintings, jewelry, and more, inviting shoppers to discover one-of-a-kind gifts crafted right in the city.
Since its debut in 1936, Art for the Holidays has grown into a hallmark of Detroit’s winter season, uniting artists and shoppers in a shared celebration of creativity and community. Each purchase supports the participating artists directly, helping to strengthen Detroit’s thriving arts scene and inspiring shoppers to invest in local talent.
The exhibition opens with a festive Opening Reception on Friday, November 14, from 5–8 p.m., where visitors can browse the collection, meet participating artists, and begin holiday shopping in a lively, art-filled atmosphere.
Art for the Holidays will be hosted at the Detroit Artists Market, 4719 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, and will be open Tuesday–Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Event Snapshot
Where:
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Detroit Artists Market, 4719 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
When:
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Opening Reception: Friday, November 14, 2025, 5–8 p.m.
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Exhibition Dates: November 14 – December 20, 2025
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Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
For Detroiters seeking meaningful, handcrafted gifts, and a chance to uplift the region’s artists, this season’s Art for the Holidays promises a vibrant, art-filled shopping experience.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Turkey giveaway draws huge crowds
America’s Community Council hosted its annual giveaway, distributing more than 1,200 turkeys. Since 2 a.m. on Thursday, a line of cars along 7 Mile has been growing, and the line just kept on going and going. It was, in fact, over a mile long. What’s the home run at the end of the line? Free turkeys.
DETROIT (FOX 2) – Detroiters and Highland Park residents lined up along 7 Mile near John R throughout Thursday morning, all hoping to grab a free turkey in time for the holidays.
Big picture view:
America’s Community Council hosted its annual giveaway, distributing more than 1,200 turkeys.
Since 2 a.m. on Thursday, a line of cars along 7 Mile has been growing, and the line just kept on going and going. It was, in fact, over a mile long. What’s the home run at the end of the line? Free turkeys.
“I come here every month to come and get food. This is a big deal for the turkey because of the shutdown, and I need it. Thanksgiving is coming,” said resident Sharon Hare.
“It’s vitally important, especially given everything we’ve seen with SNAP benefits and food insecurities. We’re here to fill the gap,” said Chief Executive Officer of America’s Community Council, Odie Fakhouri.
Odie Fakhouri says the ACC’s distributions have doubled and tripled in number this past month due to the SNAP benefit issues.
“I know there’s been issues with food stamps; has that affected you? Yes, they just put it on my card today. That’s a good thing. It took a while. Yes, it did, and I was panicking. What are you going to do with that turkey? Clean it, stuff it, and put it in the oven,” said Hare.
What you can do:
If you missed the 2025 turkey giveaway and need help, the ACC hosts food distributions every Thursday and provides many other resources.
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