There will be a passel of mighty Goodfellows and a few good women from the Orion community out during the next few days working hard to make this Christmas holidays delightful for the area’s needy.
This season marks the 49th year the Orion Firefighters Goodfellows will be selling special editions of The Lake Orion Review throughout the community as well as taking donations to help local families and those in need.
The Orion Firefighters Goodfellows from Station 3 off Gregory Rd., as well as other units in the township and village, will be collecting donations from far and wide to bring holiday cheer to families that might otherwise go without some Christmas goodies.
If you see these jolly men and women in the community, provide a little help if you can. They are dedicated and are giving their time and energy to help ignite a holiday spirit and help our community’s struggling families.
‘There has been a great tradition of ours that has helped hundreds of families in Lake Orion over the years,? said Goodfellows chapter president Bob Hudak. ‘Our firefighters really enjoy going out into the community to help raise money for this cause.?
All day on Saturday, December 5, the Goodfellow firefighters will be dressed in their full gear at locations in the Lake Orion area, including some intersections. The locations include the Big Boy Restaurant, Panera Bread and the Kroger Store on Baldwin Rd.
The Goodfellows will be taking donations and handing out special editions of The Lake Orion Review.
The Goodfellows hope to raise several thousand dollars which will be used to assemble large food baskets for struggling families that are identified through community organizations and word-of-mouth. The donations also help to provide winter clothes for adults and children.
And Christmas would not be so jolly without some toys for children. The Goodfellows might be wearing firefighters gear but they are working for Santa. The gifts they provide through the generosity of those who donate mean just as much as the ones that come from Santa.
‘We try to find out what each child wants and then do our best to make their Christmas morning special for them,? Hudak said. ‘The Goodfellows? motto is no child should be without a Christmas.?
Most of the items are delivered to the children and families on Christmas Eve. Most years dozens of local families are helped and given better Christmas joy.
‘Most of the funds we raise come from people and businesses in Lake Orion and Orion Township, so we try to help out families there,? Hudak said.
The organization’s fundraising efforts also raise money for families that might be struggling to pay a utility bill during other difficult times of the year.
Those interested in helping the Goodfellows holiday efforts or want to nominate a family in need may do so by visiting the Orion Fire Department Station 3 off Gregory Road, in Orion Township.
They also may call Hudak at 248-895-0406 or send an email to OTFFGF@gmail.com.