The Chatham Goodfellows kicked off their support season Nov. 7 handing out awards of appreciation to volunteers, and talking finances at their 70th annual banquet.
The Goodfellows spent $292,000 last year, compared to $4,032 in the organization’s first year of existence in 1954. Seventy years ago, the Goodfellows delivered 311 baskets to families in need. Last year, they dropped off almost 1,600.
Fundraising in 2023 delivered $282,000, with the organization dipping into reserves to make up the difference.
Outgoing president Craig Williston expects it to be another busy year. As of Nov. 7, just days into the Goodfellows period of accepting requests from families, he said they already had 700 signups.
Present for the banquet was Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. He briefly addressed the group, and praised the volunteers.
“Think about how much difference you make in our community. Goodfellows have more than 2,000 volunteers,” he said. “Every one of these individuals is giving up their most valuable resource, their time.”
Some have been doing it for decades. Ron White has been volunteering for more than 50 years. White earned the 2024 Lifetime Achievement award from the organization.
White was president of the Goodfellows in 1968 and 1969.
He once took a phone call from Henry Ford, who was duck hunting in Dover Township at the time. That call resulted in Ford donating thousands of dollars to Goodfellows, but it was something Ford didn’t want made public, according to Goodfellows officials.
Sean and Tanya Wilkins were named Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow for 2024. Both said they were caught off guard but were proud to have helped the organization for decades.
Sean first became involved at the age of five. His family had been on the receiving end of support from the Goodfellows.
“Way back when there was some labour issues where he (his father, David) was working, we had a rough year or two. He leaned on this organization at Christmas time,” Sean said. “He wanted to contribute back to it. He was kind of insistent that, for as long as we could, we would keep helping out.”
Tanya, who grew up in Blenheim married into the Goodfellows. Actually, she said she dated into it.
“Before we were married, we started doing this together. It was kind of our date night,” she said. “I absolutely love it; the people are amazing.”
Their children are also involved these days, Tanya added.
“It’s good for the kids to see that there are people who need help and to give when they can,” she said.
Storing materials between Christmases has always been a need and it bounced around a great deal – until 2016, Williston said. Since that time, Portable Storage provided two portable storage units to Goodfellows at no cost.
The organization, led by Brad and Heather Erickson, earned the 2024 President’s Award as a result.
“These storage containers have become invaluable to us as we no longer worry about where we will store all of the equipment and supplies, we use year after year,” Williston said.
In the wake of the annual Goodfellows banquet, Williston said there are important dates fast approaching.
Applications for families to receive support began Nov. 1, and close Nov. 29. People can call 519-354-1146, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The annual Porchlight campaign take place on Dec. 2, where volunteers will go door-to-door across Chatham seeking donations.
Toy packing occurs Dec. 9-12 at the former Monsignor Uyen Catholic School on Lark Street in Chatham. Deliveries will take place Dec. 17.
Street Sales, where volunteers will be positioned outside a number of stores in Chatham also seeking donations, takes place Dec. 13 and 14.
Food packing and delivery takes place Dec. 18 at the Spirit and Life Centre.
