DEARBORN — The Dearborn Goodfellows elected Silvio Davis its president and other officers for 2021-22 at its recent board of directors meeting.
The board elected Anthony Fundaro its vice president, Nichole Golich its secretary and Karl L. Fava secretary.
Davis has been a Goodfellows board member for five years and has sold newspapers in the organization’s newspaper sale for over eight years. Employed at the Dearborn Agency, Davis is an insurance agent supervisor who specializes in business owners, auto, and homeowner matters.
“The Goodfellows is Dearborn’s pre-eminent charitable group”, Davis said, “and I am very fortunate that the board honored me with this responsibility. I am looking forward to the challenge as this is going to be tough year. After last year’s inability to sell newspapers we had a deficit but still committed to assisting almost 1,200 children with Christmas gifts and holiday cheer”.
“Silvio may be one of the youngest presidents we have ever had but I am sure he is up to the challenge,” said Larry Johnson, one of the Goodfellows’ three executive directors.
“Back in 2018, Silvio was awarded as the Goodfellow of the Year,” Executive Director John Allevato said. “He’s been a committed volunteer and we feel we will be in good hands under his leadership for the new year.”
A life-long resident of Dearborn, Davis attended Whitmore Bolles, Duvall and O.L. Smith schools, and graduated from Edsel Ford High School. He was the former president of the Hines Park PM Rotary Club and is a Dearborn Centurion. Davis also has volunteered for the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce and the Special Olympics.
“I have been involved with the Michigan Winter Special Olympics for at least 10 years and find it so humbling to work with the folks that are competin,” Davis said. “It reminds me that life is a gift and we cannot ever take it for granted.”
Davis exemplified has leadership skills as part of the most recent Henry Ford College Presidential Search Committee, as well as his involvement in many charities and activities in Dearborn.
Davis has been involved with the Dearborn Burn Drive, the Dearborn Police Officers Charity, and the Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, along with several other organizations in town.
Fundaro is an account and product manager within the automotive industry, is a Goodfellows board member and longtime Goodfellows volunteer.
“My grandfather stopped driving and it was my responsibility to drive him to Goodfellows events and the paper sale, Fundaro said. “After his passing I became involved and I like the fact that all proceeds go to the cause as all members are volunteers. Selling papers is still my favorite event with the Goodfellows. It reminds me of my grandfather and gets me into the Christmas spirit.
“I am looking forward to working with Silvio and our three executive directors this year. I know we have a lot of work in front of us given the pandemic took away our ability to raise funds last year through the paper sale and the Smoke on the Grill. With our hard work we will catch up to where we are supposed to be”.
Fundaro, who has an associate’s degree from Macomb Community College and graduated from Divine Child High School, has been the secretary and a member of the Dearborn Soccer Club Executive Board for many years.
Golich, supervisor with the city of Dearborn Property Maintenance and Development Services Division, was re-elected to her third term as secretary. She said she comes from a family that was taught to give back and help others when one can. She has taken this spirit into her more than five years of involvement with the organization.
“Whether it’s time and effort, or donating money, the Dearborn Goodfellows have provided me an avenue to do what I love and help others in need!,” Golic said. “It truly is an amazing organization that my husband and I are very grateful to be a part of”.
Her husband, Jonathon Golich, is a local Realtor and donates $100 to the Goodfellows from every sale or purchase closing he handles.
Fava, a 30-year member of the Goodfellows was re-elected to another term as treasurer. Fava, who has a CPA practice in Dearborn, has been treasurer for at least the last ten years.
“Karl has been the treasurer for quite a few organizations in town and, in fact, across Michigan,” Executive Director Gary Kuhlmann said. “He likes to stay busy and we can count on him to stay on top of the numbers in a timely and accurate fashion.”
Fava, who is active at the national level with the American Institute of CPAs, serves on its Tax Executive Committee.
Anyone that would like to get involved with the Goodfellows in selling newspapers, packaging gifts, delivering gifts, or working on fundraising events, can contact Johnson at 313-450-2664 or Davis at 313-485-1737.