The Chatham Goodfellows hit the gas to accelerate into their 71st giving season on Nov. 6, holding their annual dinner meeting and rewarding the efforts of their army of volunteers.
That team helps to deliver the Goodfellows motto of “no child without a Christmas.”
Last year’s Goodfellows effort saw toys and Christmas hampers delivered to 1,500 families in and around Chatham.
This year, J.P. Lemieux earned the title of Mr. Goodfellow.
The Goodfellows’ president Kevin Shaw said Lemieux was very deserving of the award.
“He has been a big supporter of Chatham Goodfellows for many years. He’s run many fundraising efforts on behalf of his employer, through other groups, and on his own,” Shaw said. “He’s always been ready, willing and able to help in any way.”
Lemieux, who helps in toy sorting and packing, was humbled by the announcement.
“I’m very honoured to receive the award. I fell in love with the organization when I first started,” he said. “I want to help out and give back to the community.”
Lemieux has volunteered with the organization for about a decade, and has been on the board for the past three years. He said the organization is very welcoming and very organized.
“I stepped into a very well-oiled machine,” he said, adding the effort is well received. “The need is there in the community and it’s great we can help out any way we can.”
Lemieux wasn’t the only one recognized at the dinner.
Janet Brunschot was given the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for more than a half century of working with the Goodfellows.
“The lifetime achievement award goes to someone who doesn’t say much, so I will say a few words,” Shaw told those gathered. “They have been assisting the Chatham Goodfellows for over 50 years.”
From paper sales, counting donations, you name it, Janet Brunschot has done it, Shaw said.
Patricia Clark, who has been aiding local non-profit groups since before the turn of the century, was caught off guard when Shaw named her the recipient of the President’s Award.
But Shaw said her effort embodies what Goodfellows is all about.
“Our recipient is always thinking of ways to help, support and train in the field of personal development of others,” he said.
The Goodfellows also handed out numerous certificates of appreciation for support and dedication.
And now the focus is on gathering names of families in need, collecting toys, food and donations and then packaging and delivering everything before Christmas.
The online registration for families is underway, and the phones at the Goodfellows office at 519-354-1146 went active this week. Registration will be accepted until Dec. 5.
Volunteers will be collecting toy and non-perishable donations at Friday’s Chatham Santa Claus parade.
This year’s Porchlight takes place Dec. 1 where volunteers go door-to-door in Chatham asking for donations.
Street sales, which involve volunteers standing outside key stores in and around Chatham to accept donations, run Dec. 12 and 13.
Toy packing takes place at the former Peavey Mart on St. Clair Street Dec. 8-11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Deliveries occur Dec. 17.
And food packing and delivery take place Dec. 18.
