An area family with four generations of service to Chatham Goodfellows and a long-time volunteer were honoured at the annual Chatham Goodfellows meeting recently.
The Williston family of Chatham was given a Lifetime Achievement Award and Connie Mardling was named Mrs. Goodfellow.
During the 1950s, Chatham Goodfellows’ modest budget of a few thousand dollars provided boxes of food and toys to approximately 200 families in Chatham. This year, the 63rd year of operation, the Chatham Goodfellows’ budget of well over $150,000 will provide boxes of food and toys for more than 1,400 families in Chatham, the former townships of Dover, Chatham Harwich, and Raleigh, as well as Merlin in partnership with Merlin Legion.
“Since 1954, Chatham Goodfellows has seen the need rise along with the budget. One constant that remains, Chatham Goodfellows is a volunteer organization that depends totally on volunteers to sit on the board of directors, purchase goods, organize events, raise funds, collect, pack, and deliver toys and food,” said Goodfellows chairman Tim Haskell.
Volunteers are vital to Chatham Goodfellows success. In recognition for their work, volunteers are recognized with certificates of appreciation and the coveted Mrs./Mr. Goodfellow Award. Volunteer businesses are recognized with the President’s Award.
In 2016, the Chatham Goodfellows board of directors introduced the Lifetime Achievement Award to recognized individuals or organizations who provide no less than 25 years of continuous service, extraordinary philanthropy by an individual or organization, continues to encouraged the development of leadership among staff, colleagues or family, is an inspiration to others, displaying professionalism, a consistently positive and motivating attitude, and demonstrating ongoing respect for others, has inspired, shared and developed a vision for the future for development of philanthropy and is a good citizen that contributes to the well-being of the community.
Past-President Tim Mifflin announced the Williston family were given the Lifetime Achievement Award, with four generations packing the hall, led by Mary and Phil Williston and their three kids, Cynthia, Scott and Craig. The family commitment totaled 450 years.
In 58 years, the Williston family has fundraised, collected, packed and delivered food and toys for the less fortunate in Chatham-Kent.
Phil’s tireless work and dedication was recognized in 1988 when the Chatham Goodfellows bestowed Phil with the prestigious Mr. Goodfellow award. Phil provided leadership to the Chatham Goodfellows board of directors for more than five decades, and he served as president from 1998-2000.
Mary Williston recalled her first date with Phil in 1959 before Christmas. Phil invited Mary to #1 Scout hut in Chatham to paint a red wagon so the wagon could be delivered to a child at Christmas. Mary said this is when the Williston legacy began with Chatham Goodfellows.
In 2004 Mary was the recipient of the Ms. Goodfellow Award.
“This community of practice carried through to Mary and Phil’s children, Cynthia, Scott, Craig and their extended family. The extended Williston family and all three children were active with Chatham Goodfellows through the years,” Mifflin noted.
While Cynthia no longer lives in Chatham-Kent, Scott and Craig, along with their seven children and eight grandchildren, carry on the Williston legacy. Williston family members have received more than 15 Chatham Goodfellows certificates of achievement over the past 39 years.
Scott replaced Phil as a member of the board in 2003, and from 2011-2016 Scott was the President of Chatham Goodfellows. In 2015, he was the recipient of the Mr. Goodfellow Award. Scott remains an active board member managing food packing and delivery.
Craig was the recipient of the 2011 Mr. Goodfellow Award and in 2013 was invited to join the board. Craig manages the Porchlight Campaign.
“Craig, Scott and Cynthia, we are so proud of these three kids. Their spouses are great supporters too,” Mary, the family matriarch said
There are four generations of Willistons volunteering with Goodfellows these days. Two dozen of them were on hand at the annual general meeting.
“It is also with great humility that we accept this award. We just love doing it,” she said. “Who would have thought that painting a red wagon would lead to 450 years of service to Goodfellows?”
Mrs. Goodfellow this year is Connie Mardling, a Chatham woman who has been volunteering since she was a child. Haskell described Mardling as a quiet but consistently cheerful and supportive presence for all the Goodfellow events.
Mardling, who had no idea she would be honoured at the meeting, said she was shocked when her name was called. She credits her uncle, Marvin Merritt, for getting her involved while in elementary school.
“My Uncle Marvin called me and said they were short of delivery volunteers and asked me if I wanted to help. I quickly said I would help and it just went from there,” Mardling said at the meeting. “I get the joy of helping others and I get pleasure out of that.”
Mardling, who books her holidays around the packing and delivery days, said she enjoys volunteering especially when kids in need are involved.
This year’s Mrs. Goodfellow said she felt there were so many other people that deserved the award.
“I don’t like to be in the limelight and I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for my uncle,” Mardling said.
The Goodfellows also handed out the President’s Award to Larena Parkhouse and John Harden of the Real Canadian Superstore, who represented the employees who donate their time to deliver perishable food items on packing day.
