Goodfellows introduce children to comic books

by Richard Riosa

The Windsor Goodfellows are attempting to help children during the holidays by introducing comic books to the food boxes they give out in their Holiday Food Baskets program.

Goodfellows was founded in 1910 by a group of local Windsor newspaper salesmen who decided to help kids by selling newspapers on street corners to raise money. They currently utilize the services of over 740 volunteers. Rogues Gallery Comics began donating used comics to be added to the Goodfellows Holiday program in 2010.

Registration for the Holiday Food Baskets runs from Oct. 9 to Dec. 11. In order to register people must be a resident of Windsor and provide photo identification along with income statements.

Goodfellows president Gilbert Barichello, 70, said he was attracted to the program because it provides to local families and children.

“Every dollar raised in this community goes back to the people in the community,” said Barichello.

Goodfellows requires roughly $450,000 in annual costs to operate. Barichello said they hope to raise at least half of that cost each year through the annual newspaper drive. In 2011, they were able to provide 5,800 food baskets and raised over $232,000, which is up more than $40,000 from the previous year.

“Last year speaks volumes as to how generous, in reality, the people are here,” said Barichello. “Because, as you know, our economy isn’t the best and yet we’ve been able to equal some of our better years in donations. I have nothing but praise and admiration for the generosity.”

Barichello said he expects to provide the community with over 6,000 baskets this year.  Four weeks into registration, there are already 400 more applicants than all of last year.

Shawn Cousineau, the owner of Rogues Gallery Comics, has been involved with Goodfellows for three years. Customers of Rogues Gallery are encouraged to either donate their used comic books or purchase 20 comics to donate for a $5 fee. In 2011, a total of 7,000 comic books were donated for distribution along with the holiday food baskets.

“Once or twice, my family got a (holiday) basket from Goodfellows,” said the 42-year-old store owner. “It meant a lot to me as a kid, so I thought I’d give back.”

Amanda Moorby, 26, is a local mother of three. She has participated in the Goodfellows holiday food basket program for roughly nine years. Moorby said that the addition of comic books to the food baskets is something her three-year-old son would really enjoy.

“It’ll get him to read and he enjoys super heroes,” said Moorby. “That’s his favourite thing.”

Moorby said the help that Goodfellows provides allows her children to enjoy the holidays.

“It helps me too,” said Moorby. “Because I’m by myself with my kids and it makes a difference at Christmas time for us.”