Nominations for Junior Goodfellow of the Year Award being accepted through October 6
The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit will honor Gerry Anderson, chairman and CEO of DTE Energy, with the Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award at the charity’s 28th annual Tribute Breakfast, Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. at Cobo Center. The “Great Voice of the Great Lakes” WJR, a major sponsor of the event, will broadcast portions of the breakfast live during The Paul W. Smith Show and Paul W. Smith will also serve as the program’s emcee.
The Edward H. McNamara Award is a prestigious honor presented to distinguished and noteworthy individuals who have significantly contributed to the community. Gerry Anderson is one of Detroit’s strongest and most impactful corporate leaders and a catalyst for civic and community improvement throughout the region.
“As someone who is at the forefront of Detroit leadership, continuously bringing resourceful and creative initiatives for the redevelopment of our city and the betterment of the Detroit community, we are excited to present Gerry Anderson with the Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award this year,” said Dr. Mike Jennings, president, Detroit Goodfellows.
Other prior recipients of the Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award include President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Dan Loepp and his wife Amy; President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and Chairman of Ilitch Charities Christopher Ilitch; The Detroit Police Department; Compuware Co-Founder Peter Karmanos, Jr.; American real estate developer A. Alfred Taubman; internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, philanthropist and native Detroiter Kid Rock and Kid Rock Foundation; President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company Alan Mulally; Detroit broadcast legend Dick Purtan and his wife Gail; UAW President Ron Gettelfinger; Judge Damon Keith; Mayor Dave Bing; Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson; Governor Jennifer Granholm and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern; and, Lisa and William Clay Ford.
This year’s Tribute Breakfast will be the inaugural year for the Ernest Lofton Junior Goodfellow of the Year Award, in honor of the longtime Detroit Goodfellow, and United Auto Workers labor leader, who worked tirelessly to advance the Goodfellow organization’s effort to help the children of Detroit. It will recognize young community members who make a positive difference.
The award pays homage to Ernest “Ernie” Lofton who passed away on Aug. 4, 2016. He was a truly special person and an exemplary Goodfellow who was a recipient of Goodfellow holiday packages as a child and later became a Goodfellow of the Year honoree. He was involved in the organization for many years on many levels, and especially with the Tribute Breakfast. The Junior Goodfellow of the Year Award will honor his legacy as part of future breakfasts.
To submit a nomination for the Junior Goodfellow of the Year Award, email Sari Klok Schneider at sarigoodfellows@gmail.com naming your candidate and why you think he or she should be recognized with this honor. Nominees should be age 13-18, have performed community service or other volunteer activities helping people in need, and reside in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge or Hamtramck (the communities the Detroit Goodfellows serve). All submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.
Tickets for the 28th annual Tribute Breakfast are $150 or $1,500 for a table of 10. There are also special $10,000 and $5,000 Santa Circle tables available. Additional corporate sponsorships are also offered.
Revenue raised at the benefit event will go toward the Detroit Goodfellows’ 2017 fundraising goal of $1.1 million, which will help provide 34,000 holiday gift packages containing clothing, books, candy and toys for needy children in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge and Hamtramck.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Detroit Goodfellows director Sari Klok-Schneider at (586) 775-6139 or sarigoodfellows@gmail.com. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.detroitgoodfellows.org.
Founded in 1914, the Detroit Goodfellows is the original and oldest Goodfellows organization and is not affiliated with any other Goodfellow group. It also provides a dental program for children through 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 premiere 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 www.charitynavigator.org and search under Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit.
