The Goodfellows story began in 1905 when Thomas May, a prominent editorial cartoonist for the Detroit Journal Paper, was deeply moved by a story he had heard from one of his employees.
The employee told May about a little neighbourhood girl he came across, sitting on the steps of a rundown house, wearing a tattered coat and shivering in the winter cold. The girl explained that she was waiting for Santa, but concluded that she “must have been very naughty because he hasn’t come.”
Inspired by this, May created a drawing of a little girl with her head slumped over an empty table in a desolate room, and a ragged empty stocking dangling from her hand – a picture that would eventually become the official emblem of the Goodfellows. The drawing was published in the newspaper and led to the formation of the Detroit Goodfellows.
Links to GOOD PEOPLE - A Documentary on the Windsor Goodfellows YouTube video
GOOD PEOPLE – A Documentary on the Windsor Goodfellows Charitable Organization
History of the Windsor Goodfellows
In 1910, a group of Windsor newspapermen carried on the movement by establishing the Windsor chapter. On December 15th of that year, the Windsor Record (which eventually became The Windsor Star) published a story about the “Good Fellow Club”, asking area citizens to help those less fortunate.
In 1914, Leo Page and E.J Craig, two of the club’s earliest members, began the tradition of publishing and selling a special newspaper edition to raise money to provide Christmas dinner and other necessities for those less fortunate. Calling themselves the “Oldnewsboys”, they were part of a group of ten men – all former newspaper delivery boys – who hit the street corners to sell as many papers as they could. The first year’s sales netted a little over $400.
Each year more people volunteered and more money was raised. From humble beginnings, the Windsor Goodfellows has grown to become one of the area’s leading charitable organizations, upon which thousands of families rely each year. Carrying the tradition to this day, the annual holiday newspaper sales remain the primary source of funding for the Windsor Goodfellows.
With your support, this incredible charitable organization can continue to provide critical services and support to those in need throughout the year. Donate to the Windsor Goodfellows organization today!
Donate to the Windsor Goodfellows
If you’re ready to make a significant and positive difference in your community, donating to the Windsor Goodfellows can be an excellent option to consider.
By supporting our mission to alleviate poverty and hunger, you can contribute to improving the lives of individuals and families in need. Your donation can go a long way in helping those who are facing difficult times.
Tax receipts will be provided for donations over $10.00.