The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

Breaking News

CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARIAN SUTTON
ORLO KIRKUM	SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
Browse Full Text...

» Inside

Public Notices
Links
About Us
News Stands
Subscriptions
Editorial Forms
Archives

» Deadlines

Friday, 2 pm
Inserts

Friday, 5 pm
Retail Display
Editorial

Monday, Noon
Classified Display
Service Directory Display

Monday, 2 pm
Service Directory Liners

Monday, 3 pm
Classified Liners

All Holiday Deadlines are One Full Workday Earlier

GOODFELLOWS, GOOD CAUSE. Seen above are members of the Romeo Goodfellows, who are gearing up for another holiday fundraiser to help feed needy families in the area. From left, President Tom Keliher, Elaine Roberson, Ed Risch, Deborah Obrecht, Trudy Dodson and Anna Hansen. Not pictured are Debbie Majchrzak, Kelly Szymanski and Craig Bryant.

(Observer photo by Chris Gray)

Goodfellows asking for
donations, volunteers

Annual fundraiser provides
food for needy families

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      The local Goodfellows associations are once again depending on the generosity of the community to make sure everyone has a happy holiday.
       The Romeo and Washington Goodfellows, along with other volunteers, will hit the streets of their local communities during their "Goodfellows Week," on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5 to ensure the motto of "No Child Without a Christmas."
       Volunteers will be on the streets selling spoof newspapers produced by The Romeo Observer that feature doctored photos of local figureheads. Paper sales and any additional donations from the weekend will go toward needy area families by providing food vouchers for the holidays.
       On the backs of the papers are a special cutout that can be used to submit a donation.
       Romeo Goodfellows President Tom Keliher said more than 120 families are helped by their program, which equals out to nearly 500 local adults and children. He said as Christmas gets closer, though, that more calls will likely come in.
       "We feel with the economy, a lot of families have been struggling with hardships," he said. "So we want to reach out to the community and help people who are less fortunate to have a merry Christmas."
       To provide a food basket for a small family is $75, while for a mid-sized family it's $110, and a large family $150. Keliher said they hope to raise $14,000 from the fundraiser.
       "A lot of people gave from their hearts last year, and we hope they will continue to help us through these tough times," he said.
       Not only do the Goodfellows provide means for obtaining food, they also help struggling families pay bills to prevent heat or electricity services from shutting off.
       "We find out about the families from churches and from the Samaritan House," said Paul Grake, president of the Washington Goodfellows. "There are more families than last year, which means more money is needed to take care of them, so if you see someone in an orange or yellow vest, please make a donation."
       Grake estimated around 110 families are requesting assistance from the Washington Goodfellows, and like Keliher, expects there to be more as Christmas draws near.
       The Goodfellows are always looking for volunteers to come help sell papers as well. In Romeo, anyone willing to help is to meet at the First Congregational Church, while in Washington they are to gather at the Washington Lions Club.
       "Our goal is to keep every corner covered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to keep it covered every hour of the day," said Grake.
       Every donation goes toward the cause, not administration, and are tax-deductible.
       The food vouchers cannot be used to buy alcohol or tobacco products, nor can the families redeem them for cash.
       Keliher said he is proud of how the community always comes together to provide help for the needy, and even recalls some residents helping those who volunteer by providing them with hot chocolate or coffee.
       "It's a fun, rewarding organization to be a part of," he said.
       The Romeo Goodfellows will sell papers at the following locations: The corner of 32 Mile and Romeo Plank, National City Bank at Van Dyke and St. Clair, fidFdler's Cove Shopping Center, the Village Shopping center, K-Mart, the corner of 31 Mile Road and Old Van Dyke, the Romeo Post Office, Frontier Town, Art & Jake's, Tim Hortons and Romeo Family Tree Restaurant.
       The Washington Goodfellows will be selling at these locations: 26 Mile Road and Van Dyke, West Road and Van Dyke, Campground and 28 Mile Road, 26 Mile Road and Mound, 27 Mile Road and Van Dyke and the Kroger located in the Orchard Shopping Center south of 30 Mile Road.
       For further information or to volunteer, contact Keliher at (586) 336-9640 or Grake at (586) 549-9022.