Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi (left) presents an award to life-long resident and long-time volunteer John Zadikian in recognition of his years of service to the Dearborn Heights Goodfellows.
HEIGHTS – Life-long resident John Zadikian, a familiar face throughout the city, was recognized by the city for his years of commitment to the Dearborn Heights Goodfellows organization – the group most widely known for its annual “No Child Without a Christmas” campaign.
Zadikian’s recognition came during last week’s meeting of the Dearborn Heights Rotary Club, another organization that calls Zadikian a member, and has benefitted from his commitment to community service. The meeting was held at the Zee the Cook culinary studio on Warren Avenue.
“Dearborn Heights is certainly a better place thanks to community-minded volunteers like John,” Mayor Bill Bazzi. “No matter what the need, John steps up and helps out. We are indebted to him for the many things he does and the many people whose needs are served through his sense of volunteerism.”
In addition to his role as a prominent volunteer, Zadikian is the proprietor of his own multimedia company, as well as serving part-time as the city’s coordinator of social media activities.
Zadikian became active with the Goodfellows in 1988 – and has served continuously as a member of its board of directors since 1990.
In addition to his board position, he has fulfilled several other roles on behalf of the organization during his tenure – including the group’s long-time treasurer, the production coordinator and ad salesman for its annual newspaper (its primary fundraiser) – and a multitude of other tasks needed to keep the organization functioning smoothly.
“Over the past 15 years or so, we saw many of the ‘old guard’ of volunteers slowly disappearing, which was beginning to leave a gap in the organization’s support mechanism,” Zadikian said.
With many of the newer volunteers not being thoroughly familiar with the organization’s operations, Zadikian stepped up to serve in yet another role – filling in as the group’s “voice of experience” for the newer members. In this role, Zadikian ensured the organization would continue to fulfill its mission by mentoring the newer members, while continuing to handle many of the organization’s “hands-on” responsibilities.
Zadikian is always quick to offer his appreciation to his community.
“The city has always been great to us,” he said. “We truly are blessed as an organization, thanks to the support we receive from our community throughout the year.”
Likewise, he is quick to offer his appreciation for his fellow volunteers.
“A lot of folks step up and dedicate a lot of time to help fill the various roles” he said. “And without them, we simply couldn’t achieve all the things we do. These folks do a great job.”
When asked about his most memorable experience in his nearly 35 years of involvement, he insisted there were many – but one in particular that took place in 2001.
“Not long after the 9/11 disaster, our firefighters initiated a ‘fill the boot’ fundraising campaign to support their NYFD brothers and sisters,” Zadikian said. “It was a successful campaign, and as wonderful as the gesture was to support the New York firefighters, I was left with some concern that the community may not be willing to actively support yet another fundraiser – the Goodfellows’ annual newspaper sale – just weeks later.”
His concerns proved unfounded, however, as the Goodfellows’ newspaper sale raised over $40,000 that year – the highest total the group ever raised in a single campaign.
“Seeing the way or community – our residents and our businesses alike – came through with that kind of support when I was concerned that the ‘chips were down’ was easily one of the most memorable experiences of my Goodfellows career,” he said. “That one really warmed my heart, and the memory of it will stay with me forever. We truly do have a great community here.”
And as for the future? Zadikian has no plans to go anywhere soon.
“I want to continue my work with my fellow volunteers to ensure the Dearborn Heights Goodfellows remains an active, viable and contributing organization. And that we continue to foster and grow all the great relationships we have with our residents, our businesses, and so many other volunteer organizations that come together to serve those in our community,” he said. “It’s a great gig.”