Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit's annual Sales Day to be held virtually

The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit’s more than 100-year-old annual tradition of Sales Day will take place virtually, Monday, November 29. Typically, on this day, Detroit Goodfellows take to the streets of Detroit selling newspapers to raise money towards its annual fundraising goal to ensure it can deliver on its motto and mission of “No kiddie without a Christmas.” This year marks the second year donations will be collected in alternate ways. The Detroit Goodfellows is looking forward to a return of its traditional in-person, on-the-street Sales Day & Parade in 2022.

“Last year we reached people in front of their screens rather than on the streets. So many generous people clicked to contribute and mailed in checks in support of the children our organization serves,” said Daran Carey, president of Detroit Goodfellows. “With things still out of the ordinary, we hope our virtual community reach will extend again this year to include not only those in the Metro Detroit area, but beyond.”

The Detroit Goodfellows’ goal this year is to raise $1.1 million for the holiday gift package program as well as various other initiatives to benefit Detroit area children in need. So far, approximately $547,407 has been raised to date, which is 49.8% of this year’s goal.

Many opportunities are available to support the organization now, on Sales Day, throughout the season and the entire year.

To participate in the virtual Sales Day fundraiser, supporters can donate any amount at www.detroitgoodfellows.org on Monday, November 29, or before. Every dollar helps, whether it is $5 or $500. A $40 donation typically covers the cost of one holiday gift box.

Other ways to give this holiday season and throughout the year include:

• Giving Tuesday, the Global Day of Giving on Nov. 30—Tax-deductible donations may be made on that day, or any day, to the organization via its secure website: www.detroitgoodfellows.org or by sending a check to: The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit, P.O. Box 44444, Detroit, MI 48244-0444.

• Online shopping with Amazon Smile—Online Amazon shoppers can sign into their account from smile.amazon. com, click the Amazon Smile tab, search Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit and click select. A portion of the purchase will be directed to the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit.

• General Donations—Donations are accepted year round at www.detroitgoodfellows.org or by mail.

All money raised goes toward the Detroit Goodfellows’ 2021 fundraising goal of $1.1 million to help provide 30,000 holiday gift packages for needy children in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge, Hamtramck, and Ecorse.

Detroit Goodfellows will distribute the gift packages with the help of Detroit police from December 6-19 at four pickup locations in Detroit. Information about pickups for families who applied by the deadline will be mailed to their homes. The packages will be provided to children whose names were submitted by public, private, parochial and charter school officials. It is estimated that two out of every three Detroit public schoolchildren receive a Detroit Goodfellows holiday gift box.

Families wishing to sign up for the program can do so at www.detroitgoodfellows.org.