Goodfellows looks to expand funds for its charitable events

Kenosha News, Oct. 22, 2005

BY DENEEN SMITH KENOSHA NEWS

For nearly three-quarters of a century, Kenosha's Goodfellows organization had been reaching out to the county's business leaders to help needy families.

In a tradition that reaches back to the 1930s, the Goodfellows " in the beginning the owners and executives of the biggest businesses and industries of the city " gather each year for an event that raises money to help fund programs for disadvantaged children during the holidays.

The Goodfellows broke tradition by asking for help from the public at large, and were pleased by the results.

Appealing to the public for direct cash donations to help fund the Goodfellows' holiday House program, money started coming in through gifts large and small. From a few dollars to more than $1,500 in a single donation, the direct appeal raised more than $16,506, "We even had kids from a daycare come in with coins in a jar," said Arleen Wermeling, who helps organize the fund-raiser.

This year, the organization hopes to further expand their direct appeal, called the grassroots appeal by Goodfellows President Howard Brown, also president of the Kenosha News. "I would indeed like to see it grow," he said.

Founded during the Depression by Ralph Kingsley, then publisher of the Kenosha News, and a small group of local business and industrial leaders, the Goodfellows is a home-grown charitable organization.

Since its formation " when the group raised money to buy fruit, toys and candy for local families " the Goodfellows has grown into an annual effort to fund the Holiday House program, which provides winter clothing for needy families, and food and gifts for the holidays.

The organization raises the bulk of its money through an annual dinner and auction attended by about 450 people. Ticket sales and an auction of donated items " everything from big-ticket items like Hawaiian vacations and cars to dinners at local restaurants " raise most of the annual budget each year.

Invitations are now being mailed for the event, with the group reaching out to a larger number of potential donors this year.

"Our purpose is to serve those children and their families who are disadvantaged, and whose lives have been shaken by the winds of fate," Brown said. "The Goodfellows have been fortunate and therefore have the responsibility to share our good fortune with those who have been deprived of it."

In 2007, the Goodfellows provided nearly $110,000 of the $192,000 cost of the Holiday House program.

Last year, Holiday House provided winter clothing for 1,699 children and 599 teens and adults. The Thanksgiving food distribution provided food for 1370 children and families, and the Christmas food and toy distribution served 1,426 families and a total of 2,085 children.

This year, the group hopes to raise $130,000 for the program, which is administered by the Goodwill Industries Inc., the Shalom Center, Women and Childrens Horizons, and seven other agencies and companies.