‘Tis the season to lend a hand to the Goodfellows

 

By Charles Sercombe
Every year the Hamtramck Goodfellows manage to scrape up enough money to feed a few hundred needy families.
But this year, because of COVID-19, their plans are up in the air – at least at the time The Review went to press on Wednesday this week.
So, there is a next-best option.
The Detroit Goodfellows are accepting applications from needy families in Hamtramck, and, of course, donations.
The Detroit Goodfellows’ goal this year is to raise $1 million for the holiday gift package program, as well as for various other initiatives to benefit Detroit area children in need. So far, approximately $517,376 has been raised to date, which is 51.7% of this year’s goal.
“Even with the trying times of 2020, and working through this pandemic, we are committed to the children of Detroit, and we anticipate and hope the community, as always, will come through and adjust to the changes for the greater good of the children,” said Daran Carey, president of Detroit Goodfellows.
Many opportunities are available to support the organization both now and in the weeks to follow.
To take part in the Virtual Sales Day Fundraiser, supporters can make a donation of any amount at Facebook.com/DetroitGoodfellows on Monday, Nov. 30 (or before).
Every dollar helps, whether it is $5 or $500. A $35 donation typically covers the cost of one holiday gift box.
Donations are also always accepted year-round, at www.detroitgoodfellows.org.
Another way people can give to Detroit Goodfellows is by using Amazon Smile for online shopping. To do so, shoppers sign into their account from smile.amazon.com, click the Amazon Smile tab, search Detroit Goodfellows, and the click “select.”
A confirmation message stating that a portion of the purchase will be directed to the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit will be sent.
All money raised goes toward the Detroit Goodfellows’ 2020 fundraising goal of $1 million, to help provide 30,000 holiday gift packages containing sweatpants, sweatshirts, socks, underwear, winter hats and gloves, a dental kit, toys, books, games, school supplies and more for needy children in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge, Hamtramck and Ecorse.
Detroit Goodfellows will distribute the gift packages, with the help of Detroit police, from Dec. 7 – 20.
Due to Covid-19, pick-up locations have been streamlined down from seven to three. Information about safe pickups for families who applied by the deadline will be mailed to their homes.
The packages will be provided to children whose names were submitted by public, private, parochial and charter school officials. It is estimated that two out of every three Detroit public schoolchildren receive a Detroit Goodfellows holiday gift box.
Families wishing to sign up for the program can do so at www.detroitgoodfellows.org. Info about late registrations will be posted on the web site after Dec. 1.
Posted Nov. 27, 2020

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