The Chatham Goodfellows had another strong showing from their annual porchlight campaign.
They collected $53,199 on Monday, December 1, down from 2024 when $57,000 was raised.
Volunteers went door-to-door in Chatham, visiting every home that left their porchlight on to collect donations. In addition to cash, 120 banana boxes of food and over 1,500 toys were also collected.
All the donations support the Goodfellows No Child Without a Christmas Campaign, a toy and food hamper program for those in need in Chatham during the holidays.
The Chatham Goodfellows would like to thank everyone who donated and all of the volunteers who came out.
"Want to thank all the volunteers that come out to assist us in the Porchlight Campaign," said Goodfellows President Kevin Shaw. "We got lots of donations food-wise, lots of toy donations, and we also got monetary donations."
December is a busy month for the Goodfellows.
"The next big thing is our Street Sales, December 12 and 13. Then next week on the 8th, we start toy packing," said Shaw.
Toy packing will run until Thursday, December 11 at the former Peavey Mart on St. Clair Street in Chatham. Toy delivery will take place on Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m.
Food packing and delivery is scheduled for Thursday, December 18 at the Spirit and Life Centre on Wellington St., with packing in the morning, and deliveries starting around noon.
The Chatham Goodfellows need to raise around $230,000 every year to keep the program running. You can donate by mailing a cheque to P.O. Box 114, Chatham, ON N7M 5K1, or by e-transfer at donate@chathamgoodfellows.ca to receive an automatic receipt.
Chatham residents in need of help this Christmas have until Friday, December 5, to apply online at www.chathamgoodfellows.ca or by calling 519-354-1146 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
