Huron Township Goodfellows is
MORE than the HOLIDAYS!
An amazing fact about the Huron Township Goodfellows organization is that it operates year-round with the support of the Huron Township Rotary. Throughout the year, requests for assistance that meet certain criteria are reviewed, and action is taken. Whether it’s providing a pair of glasses for a child or a winter coat, the community's needs are addressed as requests come in. When they encounter a need that exceeds their capabilities, we help connect the families with other resources available to respond.
Every year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, volunteers sell this paper on street corners. In December, packing and distributing food boxes and gifts occur over two days. We rely on family members, friends, residents, Rotarians, school personnel, public safety officials, and local organizations—such as Shielded Souls, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Huron Township Sportsmen's Association, Outdoor Challenge, etc.—who come together to provide a better holiday season for many families and their children in our township.
With the generous donations received, we were able to supply many families with customized food baskets based on their family size, a turkey, a 10-pound bag of potatoes, a donated ham, and a donated bag of apples, along with gift certificates for perishable items. Additionally, we provided multiple gifts to children aged 12 and younger. These gifts included toys, stocking stuffers, hats and mittens, stuffed animals, books, and family games for households with children. Goodfellows also assist seniors in need by providing food baskets, donated hams, donated bags of apples, and blankets. Additionally, we provide items for personal hygiene care, such as shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, Q-tips, toothbrush, and toothpaste, as well as household products like toilet paper, paper towels, and tissue.
But your donations go further than that; the Goodfellows supply winter coats to several children who do not have warm outerwear, and requests for assistance in obtaining eyeglasses for students have increased. We are a supporter of the “Shop With A Hero” an annual program hosted by the Huron Township Department of Public Safety that pairs local children with police officers, firefighters, and other community heroes to help them shop for Christmas presents. A few of the many reasons we aim to enable the Goodfellows program to operate all year long is that while Christmas is our busiest season, the need for assistance continues throughout the year. To meet these community needs, we rely on the generosity of community-minded individuals and businesses. Without their support, we would not be able to offer this assistance each year to as many as we do.
Though it may seem like there's a flurry of activity at the end of the calendar year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the reality is that our efforts continue all year long. We actively take advantage of toy sales, purchase toiletries on sale, and buy and store canned goods to prepare for the final two days of the Goodfellow season: packing and distributing.
We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer and be a part of the Goodfellows program at any time! By purchasing this copy of the Goodfellows paper today, you have joined many others in supporting the Goodfellows initiative all year long.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and a gentle reminder that our mission is: ‘NO CHILD WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS’
Contact Info: hurontownshipgoodfellows@gmail.com
Co-Chairs: Terri Riopelle (734) 624-4911 / Pam Stano (734) 637-5053 / Kim Rhodes (734) 365-2880 / Helena Lilly (734) 753-4320