A mother with more than 10 children. A grandmother raising 13 grandchildren.
These are only a couple of examples of people helped in 2024 by the Goodfellow Fund.
As it has done since 1912, the Star-Telegram charity helped make the holiday season a little happier for children and families who have had difficulty connecting with joy. By providing qualifying families in need with $100 gift cards to Old Navy stores (twice the amount of previous years to help with rising costs), the Goodfellow Fund helped bring smiles to the faces of children who would likely have gone without this Christmas. They also delivered a message that — during some of the most severe challenges a family can face — someone does indeed care.
“One young mother was crying, and when I asked the volunteer if she was OK, he told me that she was raising her brother’s kids on her own and was beyond thrilled and happy we could help her,” said Heidi Brisson, a staff member with the Goodfellow Fund.
“Because of my own experience being raised by my sister, I went over to tell her that no matter what, her brother was grateful and proud of her, and to always remember that his children are thankful to be with her. She gave us both a big hug and thanked Goodfellows for having good people representing them.”