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MADISON HEIGHTS — “No child without a Christmas” is the motto of the Madison Heights Goodfellows, a nonprofit that dates back at least to the 1960s, by one volunteer’s count.
Working with local businesses, as well as police officers and firefighters, the Goodfellows provide all-new toys, clothing and other gifts for families in need, creating happy childhood memories during the holidays.
With Christmas coming up quickly, the volunteers are busy shopping. They continue to accept new and unopened gifts at the Madison Heights Police Department. One can also send or drop off checks at the police station made out to “Madison Heights Goodfellows.” The full mailing address is the Madison Heights Police Department, 280 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071.
Karen Berardi, the Goodfellows’ business coordinator who has volunteered with the group for 26 years, said that every penny goes toward families in need. Any funds left over at the end of the season are used by volunteers to shop for gift items during sales throughout the following year.
The items are collected, stored and sorted inside the Madison Heights Police Department. Recipient families then collect them during a distribution inside the large garage at Fire Station No. 1, located right next door. Berardi noted that both the police officers and firefighters graciously accommodate the event, assisting with setup and takedown, and even providing coffee. She thanked them all, as well as the city for allowing it in the first place.
She also said the business community is crucial in sponsoring many families.
“Let me tell you, Madison Heights businesses are just the best,” Berardi said. “They tell me how many kids they’d like to adopt, and how big their company is, which gives me an idea of what would be a good match. I have a database of families in need, many referred to us by the schools. And when I contact the families, I ask if they still need help, and what they want. Like maybe Brandon is into Hot Wheels, or could use certain size clothes.
“Then I share that with businesses, but I don’t give away any personal information,” she said. “Just the first names, ages, and what they want — no addresses to deliver. And often, the company comes back to me and asks if the parents want anything, too. So I go back to the families and ask, and sometimes they could use household items, like a comforter for the bed, or maybe dad needs warm clothes for work. And so we provide those, too.”
Madison Heights Police Lt. Alan Fecteau has volunteered with the group for about 34 years. He said that the group’s approach has changed over time, but its mission has remained the same.
“In past years, we used to sell newspapers to generate some money. This was viewed as potentially dangerous with people standing in the roadway, but we managed,” Fecteau said via email. “COVID sort of put a stop to that, but we have not felt the need to sell papers recently. We have many businesses that donate and also sponsor specific families. We’ve also had a drop in the number of families who need help, so we’ve done well pairing the families we do have with sponsors. So this has worked out for us these past few years.”
Brent LeMerise, the police chief of Madison Heights, praised both the Goodfellows and Fecteau’s involvement with them.
“Over the course of his entire career, (Fecteau) has participated in every event he was able to,” LeMerise said. “His selflessness is a true representation of the qualities we strive for in an officer.”
Berardi said that a special debt of gratitude is owed to the late Robert Corbett, who served on the Madison Heights City Council and was a lifelong supporter of the Goodfellows along with his wife Linda Corbett.
“Bob had a giving spirit all year-round. He never wanted to see someone not have something,” Berardi said. “He always wanted to share, and he was always giving — to the city with all his time on the council, and for who knows how long with the Goodfellows. You called on him in your time of need and he got it done. And his family has carried on the spirit of his work.”
Sean Fleming, a current member of the Madison Heights City Council, agreed about Corbett.
“I knew Bob before I was on the council. He was always a supporter of the community and especially kids with the accessible playgrounds and the library — the children’s room there is named after him,” Fleming said. “He always wanted to make sure that through the Goodfellows, the kids would be able to have a memorable holiday and feel joy.”
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