A legion of volunteers with the Chatham Goodfellows will be out in force across Chatham on Monday night to knock on doors and collect donations during the annual Porchlight fundraiser.
To donate, simply leave on your porch light to signal to volunteers you want to make a donation to the annual Goodfellows No Child Without A Christmas campaign.
For nearly seven decades, the volunteer organization has collected food and toys to help families in need at Christmas time.
Goodfellows spokesperson Tim Haskell said last year’s Porchlight event generated roughly $50,000 in donations.
With inflation and rising costs, the service club is “hoping to get at least $50,000 and maybe surpass it,” he said.
Haskell said the Porchlight fundraiser is important because it helps purchase vital items for the food hampers that are given to families in need, particularly the non-perishables like turkeys, hams and bags of milk.
“We give out a good food hamper that will supply food for about a week,” he said.
Haskell said some volunteers work alone while others collect in teams. Either way, at least one person will be wearing a bright red smock with Chatham Goodfellows emblazoned on the front when they show up at your door.
He said volunteers will also be handing out the 68th anniversary edition of the Chatham Goodfellows newspaper produced by CM Design & Print.
Haskell said this year’s edition includes a tribute to the late Tim Mifflin, who taught him a great deal about being a leader with the Goodfellows, including how to put the newspaper together.
More copies of the Goodfellows newspaper will also be distributed during the annual Street Sales campaign, taking place Dec. 9-10.
Other key dates for the Goodfellows campaign include:
Dec. 12-15 – Toy packing taking place at 255 Lark St. in the former Monsignor Uyen Catholic elementary school.
Dec. 19 – Toy delivery begins after 5:30 pm
Dec. 20 – Food hamper packing begins at 8 am at the Spirit and Life Centre, with deliveries beginning at 11:30 am
For information on how to volunteer for any of these events, go online to www.chathamgoodfellows.ca.