Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit raises $582,253 toward goal of $1 million

As of Wednesday, the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit has raised $582,253 representing 58.2% of its 2020 fundraising goal of $1 million, which the group hopes to meet by the end of its fiscal year on January 31, 2020. 

Of the total amount raised to date, $45,432 was raised in two days through the more than 100-year-old annual tradition of Sales Day, which took place virtually this year on Monday, Nov. 30, Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1, and Facebook fundraisers. With the organization’s annual Tribute Breakfast, its other major fundraiser, having not occurred this year, more help than ever is needed to reach its annual fundraising goal to ensure it can deliver on its motto and mission of “No kiddie without a Christmas.” 

“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.”

There are many opportunities available to help the organization now, throughout the season and beyond. Tax-deductible donations are accepted year round via its secure website:
www.detroitgoodfellows.org, or by sending a check to: The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit, P.O. Box 44444, Detroit, MI 48244-0444. Contributions can also be made through the current virtual fundraiser at Facebook.com/DetroitGoodfellows. 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.

 Another way to give 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 click select.

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.

Additionally, girls ages four through nine receive a hand-dressed doll created by a community volunteer of the doll dresser program which was created in 1924. Four-year-old boys will receive a stuffed animal as part of theirs.

Detroit Goodfellows will distribute the gift packages with the help of Detroit police from Dec. 7 – 20. Due to COVID-19, pickup 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.  Information about late registrations will be posted on the website on Dec. 4.

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 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, visit www.charitynavigator.org and search under Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit.

For additional information about the Detroit Goodfellows organization, 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.