Windsor Goodfellows Celebrating 110 Years of Paper Sales

Given the more than 40% increase in food distributed over the past year, the Goodfellows face significant challenges in maintaining their current service levels in the long term, especially with rising demand and higher costs.

In 1914, Leo Page and E.J Craig 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 who hit the street corners to sell as many papers as they could. The first year’s sales netted a little over $400.

This year, the Windsor Goodfellows is celebrating 110 years of paper sales and while their sales net over the original $400, they are still facing financial challenges.

Many people know the Windsor Goodfellows for their Annual Paper Drive and Christmas basket, but they also have a core team of volunteers in place throughout the year that help support a year-round food bank, lunch for the homeless, a breakfast program in 27 schools and a children’s footwear program.

Due to an over 40% increase in food given away in each of the last two years, and unprecedented increase in their client base, particularly with the working poor they need the help from our community more than ever.

Without increased funding, they are challenged to sustain current service levels for the long run.

On November 28th – 30th, you will see the Goodfellows volunteers on the streets and in local shops in Windsor, Tecumseh, and Lasalle collecting donations for the Goodfellows Annual Paper Drive.

40% of their annual income is from these three days of paper sales, so they need the community to come together now more than ever.

Organizers want you to know that they are virtually entirely a volunteer organization (one employee and 600+ volunteers) with minimal operating expenses – your money is spent directly on programs for the poor in our local area.

The GOODFELLOWS extend a thank you and best wishes for a great holiday season.