By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Belle River/Rochester Goodfellows organization was out in full force across the town spreading holiday cheer through their annual newspaper drive earlier this month.
Goodfellow volunteers hit the streets of Lakeshore on Friday November 15th followed by the annual banquet is Saturday Nov. 16. Funds raised will help offset costs of providing Christmas meals to local families in need of assistance this holiday season as well as providing help all year long.
The organization continues its local charity work for 60 plus years. President Rick Anderson says that they continue to improve the way the food boxes are distributed since the pandemic.
Gone are the days of can collection and the filling of boxes at the St. Simon and St. Jude Hall. While local schools are involved, they have switched to ‘toonie collection’ within the classrooms – that allows for the purchase of gift cards for families in need.
Deadline to apply for assistance this year is Sunday December 8 with pick-up slated for Saturday December 21. The pre-approval process is now done over the phone.
“Those selected for assistance will be asked to meet Goodfellow administration at the Good Neighbour Club in Belle River on Friday Dec. 13 from 5 p.m. till 8 and Sat Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. till noon when we distribute vouchers containing gift cards. This allows parents to go out and get their own gifts for their kids,” said Anderson.
The voucher is kept and this allows the family to pick-up their food box at the Tetreualt’s Independent Grocers on Saturday December 21 from 9 a.m. until noon at a drive through location behind the supermarket.
The Belle River Lions Club has donated 150 Christmas cakes this year.
The Lakeshore firefighters will be selling hamburgers on Dec 7 from 12 until 2 at the Belle River legion.
“Thanks to Ray Tetreualt and his crew at the grocery store the boxes are packed on site and then loaded into the family vehicle,” added Anderson. “It works out so much better for us…its way more efficient.” said Anderson.
Belle River Rochester Goodfellows would also like to express our gratitude to
everyone who buys a gift card for the giving tree. The church staff and goodfellows put up the tree at St. Simon & St. Jude church in November, so that parishioners can pick a tag off the tree and purchase the appropriate gift card. These gift cards are then distributed to needy families in the area.
The Goodfellows would also like to recognize Sheryl Wlusek and Lorraine Rodriguez for their work on the Shimmer and Shine Gala held last April. Combined with a couple other events, the night raised $15,500, which was donated at the annual banquet.
“We still have the area’s back, things are just done a little differently today,” said Anderson.
Call Rick Anderson at 226-345-6686 or Tom Tellier at 519-728-1315 to apply for this year’s assistance program.
Registration for application is currently underway with Sunday Dec. 8th the last day to apply.
Be the first to comment