Happy December, friends! If you’re looking for a way to give back this holiday season, the Detroit Goodfellows organization is still in need of financial support to help bring Christmas to children in the Detroit and metro area. Each year during the holiday season, the 106-year-old charity helps Detroit families and children who are in need of assistance with essentials and holiday gifts.

Your financial contribution will go toward the Detroit Goodfellows’ 2020 fundraising goal. The nonprofit organization is trying to raise $1 million to help provide 30,000 holiday gift packages to children in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge, Hamtramck, and Corse. The gift packages will contain sweatpants, sweatshirts, socks, underwear, winter hats and gloves, a dental kit, toys, books, games, and school supplies.

Four Ways to Donate to Detroit Goodfellows Christmas Fundraiser

The Detroit Goodfellows also has a doll and stuffed animal program for children ages 4 – 9. The dolls are handmade by community volunteers. Click here to learn more about the Goodfellows’ doll program.

Detroit Goodfellows will distribute the gift packages with the help of Detroit police from December 7 to 20. Pickup locations will be reduced to three instead of seven for health safety reasons because of COVID-19. Families who applied by the deadline will receive information about the safety precautions via mail.

The packages will be given to children whose names were submitted by public, private, parochial, and charter school officials. According to the Detroit Goodfellows, it is estimated that two out of every three Detroit public school children receive a Detroit Goodfellows holiday gift box.


READ: HAPPY DECEMBER! (2019)


THE OLD NEWSBOYS’ GOODFELLOW FUND OF DETROIT FUNDRAISING GOALS

So far, the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit has raised $582,253 (58.2% of its 2020 fundraising goal of $1 million). The group hopes to meet the goal by the end of its fiscal year on January 31, 2020.  

In just two days, $45, 432 was raised on the annual Sales Day. This year, the event took place virtually on Monday, Giving Tuesday, and through Facebook fundraisers. The group was not able to host its annual Tribute Breakfast because of the pandemic. This loss of fundraising efforts made it challenging for the Detroit Goodfellows to reach their goal. That’s why more help is needed now more than ever.

“Despite the changes our major fundraisers have faced this year, Detroit came through on our Virtual Sales Day and Giving Tuesday,” said Daran Carey, president of Detroit Goodfellows. “We still have a way to go to reach our goal and appreciate people everywhere keeping Detroit Goodfellows in mind as we move through the holiday season and they look for organizations to support.”

FOUR WAYS TO DONATE TO THE DETROIT GOODFELLOWS

Four Ways to Donate to Detroit Goodfellows Christmas Fundraiser

Tax-deductible donations are accepted year-round. Here’s how you can make your donation to the Detroit Goodfellows.

Submit a payment via their secure website: www.detroitgoodfellows.org

Send a check to The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit, P.O. Box 44444, Detroit, MI 48244-0444

Make a donation through the virtual fundraiser at Facebook.com/DetroitGoodfellows. 

Donate via Amazon Smile for online shopping. All you do is sign in to your Amazon account from smile.amazon.com, click the Amazon Smile tab, search Detroit Goodfellows, and click select.

Any donation amount is accepted, and every dollar helps, whether it is $5 or $500. A $35 donation typically covers the cost of one holiday gift box.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE DETROIT GOODFELLOWS HOLIDAY PROGRAM

Families wishing to sign up for the program can do so at www.detroitgoodfellows.orgInformation about late registrations will be posted on the web site on December 4th.

ABOUT THE DETROIT GODFELLOWS

Founded in 1914, the Detroit Goodfellows is the original and oldest Goodfellows organization and is not affiliated with any other Goodfellow group. It also sponsors an emergency dental program for children through the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School, awards scholarships through Wayne State University, provides free shoes to children in need, and helps send hundreds of needy children to camp each summer. 

The Detroit Goodfellows holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. As America’s premier charity evaluator, Charity Navigator provides donors with information to give them confidence in their charitable choices. The four-star rating is the highest rating given by Charity Navigator. To view the Detroit Goodfellows Charity Navigator listing, please visit https://www.charitynavigator.org/ and search under Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit.

For more information about the Detroit Goodfellows organization, contact executive director Sari Klok-Schneider at (586) 775-6139 or sarigoodfellows@gmail.com, visit www.detroitgoodfellows.org or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/DetroitGoodfellows, Twitter at @DetGoodfellows, Instagram at DetroitGoodfellows and LinkedIn at Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit.

Thank you to the Detroit Goodfellows for sharing this community announcement with Good Life Detroit! All photographs are courtesy of SMZ for the Detroit Goodfellows.


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Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].