Downriver Goodfellows organizations hit the streets recently to collect money to help ensure that no child in their respective cities goes without a Christmas. Some organizations’ fundraising campaigns are ongoing.
Lincoln Park
The Lincoln Park Goodfellows will be shopping at Meijer Tuesday as part of the club’s “No Child Without a Christmas” program, and officers from the Lincoln Park Police Department will work the counter from 3 to 8 p.m. at McDonald’s, 1469 Fort Street, to help raise funds for the cause. A wrapping party is scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Skating Center, 1419 Southfield Road.
Donations are accepted at collection boxes located at Lincoln Park City Hall, 1355 Southfield, Fire Station 1, 1355 Cleophus, Police Station, 1427 Cleophus or Library, 1381 Southfield. Donations may be mailed to: Lincoln Park Goodfellows, P.O. Box 43, Lincoln Park, MI, 48146. To offer or apply for assistance call 313-381-3216.
Riverview
The Riverview Goodfellows netted about $8,000 during their Dec. 2 and 3 sales of the satirical newspaper “The Riverview Razzberry,” short of the $10,000 they brought in last year, Secretary Lou Ann Durand said.
The deadline for families in need to request aid was Dec. 2.
Donations can be mailed to Riverview Goodfellows, P.O. Box 2245, Riverview, MI, 48193.
Southgate
Around 70 children from more than 30 families will have a much merrier Christmas thanks to the Southgate Goodfellows. Club Vice President Marc Hatfield — a lieutenant with the Southgate Goodfellows — said that more than 60 families qualified for assistance, and volunteers spent Friday packing up gift and food baskets.
This week is a busy one for the group and for officers from Southgate’s police and fire departments: Monday is “Shop With a Hero” day at Meijer, 16300 Fort St., where the retailer has donated $100 gift certificates for each child to buy holiday gifts for their siblings; Tuesday is “Voucher Day” at Meijer, during which families receiving assistance will visit the store to redeem coupons for winter coats and boots; Wednesday is another “Shop With a Hero” event at Wal-Mart, 14900 Dix-Toledo Highway, for older, single children to enjoy a Christmas shopping spree courtesy of the retailer.
Hatfield said the group, which this year registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, had a successful newspaper drive to support its holiday program.
“Fortunately, the Fire Department won again,” Hatfield laughed at the friendly competition with the Police Department. “Overall it was a huge success.”
Donations may be made payable to Southgate Goodfellows and can be sent or delivered to the Southgate Fire Department, 14730 Reaume Parkway Civic Circle, Southgate, MI, 48195.
Taylor
After the annual fund-raising newspaper sale last month, the Taylor Goodfellows hope to provide food baskets to 200 needy families beginning Dec. 15. Volunteer coordinator Patty Ebaugh said that sales of the annual fundraising newspaper were down a bit from previous years as the organization has struggled recently. The program was suspended in 2004, and reborn last year when the Goodfellows provided assistance to 60 families.
“We just like the idea of giving out food,” said Ebaugh, preferring the hands-on approach rather than offering gift certificates.
The baskets will be available to qualifying families on Dec. 15 to 17 at Papp Park, 9350 Westlake. Ebaugh said that Taylor residents in need have through this week to call for assistance at 313-295-6240.
Trenton
City Clerk Patricia Gearhart, secretary of the Trenton Goodfellows, said the recent paper sale went well, although the group remains short of its $22,000 goal needed to help families in need.
“We could still use some help,” Gearhart said. “We probably raised about half of what we need on the day of the drive.”
Gearhart said the delivery of holiday baskets is scheduled for Dec. 21, and that the group currently had 167 families signed up for assistance as of press time. Families in need have until Dec. 16 to request aid, which can be done by contacting the Trenton City Clerk’s office at (734) 675-8600.
Donations can me made at city hall or by mail to: Trenton Goodfellows, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, MI, 48183.
Wyandotte
The Wyandotte Goodfellows paper sale began at the city’s Thanksgiving parade and continues each weekend through Dec. 23.
They hope to net $10,000 from the sales, which, when coupled with Street Art Fair parking lot proceeds, should cover the $20,000 they anticipate spending this year, President Larry Stec said.
Donations can be mailed to Wyandotte Goodfellows, P.O. Box 392, Wyandotte, MI, 48192.
(Compiled by James Mitchell and Andrea Poteet.)