Goodfellows paper drive in full swing

by Sean Previl

A local charitable organization is raising money through their annual holiday paper drive.

Goodfellows Windsor started their annual Christmas paper drive Nov. 22 with more than 500 volunteers passing out The Windsor Star Goodfellows Edition to motorists throughout the city in exchange for donations.

“We make sure everybody gets something over the holidays,” said Nester Chyz, a volunteer with Goodfellows. “Plus they’ve become a year round organization now with their shoes and their coat drives. They’re doing a good job in the community.”

Chyz has been working with Goodfellows since the 1980s and contributes four hours per day during the paper drive, but said there are others who stay on the streets longer.

“The other guys are out here for a lot longer, depends on the individuals,” said Chyz. “They decide what they’re going to do.”

Goodfellows was established in Windsor in 1910 and started the paper drive in 1914.

“They were old newspaper men and they use to sell newspapers on the corners,” said Gilbert Barichello, president of Goodfellows Windsor. “They got together, they saw there was a need for kids, no kids left behind and they started selling newspapers and collected money to buy Christmas gifts.”

Barichello said the organization has been around for so long and is supported by donations from the Windsor community by mail-in and donations from the paper drive.

“It’s all been through the generosity by individuals of the community or small groups that have done fundraising for us,” said Barichello.

Barichello said St. Clair College is one such group who helped raise $50,000 in 2010 when the newspaper drive did not reach their quota. Their goal this year is to reach $250,000 which supplements half of the income for the organization.

“Without the Star I don’t think we’d be where we are today, to be able to help as many people as we do,” said Barichello.

Barichello said he’s expecting Goodfellows will help at least 6,000 people with Christmas baskets this year.

Chyz said people can help by donating to Goodfellows or help pack boxes at the office located at 401 Park St. W. if they have spare time on their hands.