Community to Help With the Goodfellows Paper Sale

An army of self-described Santa's elves from the Goodfellows will hit the streets of St. Clair Shores Saturday to sell special edition newspapers to ensure there is "No Family Without a Christmas" in the city.

"It's our only fundraiser," said said Mike Koch, president of the St. Clair Shores Goodfellows, who adds that every dollar raised is used by the 86-year-old charity.

Joining the Goodfellows Saturday morning to meet at the central fire station for the sale, before heading out to intersections in the city, will be members of local groups including the Optimists and Kiwanis, along with Scouts and other volunteers. 

The Goodfellows have a goal of raising $20,000. Funds raised through the sale are mainly used to purchase toys for the approximately 125 families helped annually by the Goodfellows.

While the sale is the largest fundraiser, the Goodfellows also rely on a number of other food drives and events to fulfill their goals and fill gift boxes for families in need in St. Clair Shores.

These events include:

• Food delivered to families by the Goodfellows on Christmas Eve is donated through the Boy Scouts food drive and food drives at schools throughout St. Clair Shores.
• The St. Clair Shores Fire Department welcomes the Goodfellows Saturday to use the central fire station as headquarters for the sale from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and use the north fire station to assemble the gift boxes before Christmas.
• St. Clair Shores firefighters also make chili to warm the volunteers after their shifts Saturday.

"The firefighters have always been supportive and involved with the Goodfellows," said Randy Pullin, a board member of the Goodfellows who calls himself one of Santa's elves. 

A new Christmas card donation program has been also added this year at local businesses, including Dockside Cafe, where donors can give to the Goodfellows and have their names displayed on cards in the business.

In addition to accepting volunteers and donations, the Goodfellows are also seeking families in need in St. Clair Shores. Families can call (586) 980-0400 to schedule an appointment with the Goodfellows.