Published: October 31, 2009 10:28 pm      

Goodfellows begins registration process

It’s that time of year once again – the time for giving.

With Christmas just around the corner, the people at Goodfellows are announcing the annual early bird sign-ups for people in need.

Goodfellows, the oldest Christmas gift program in Howard County, provides for nearly 2,000 children in need each year.

Registration for this year is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 1401 N. Washington St., next to LoBills.

Started by Kokomo Tribune employees in 1911 and made up of volunteers, Goodfellows spends about $120,000 each year on clothing for needy children, with the majority of donations coming from WWKI’s We Care program and individual donations.

Jean Lushin, Center Township trustee and Goodfellows volunteer director, said the organization is seeking volunteers to help with sign-ups and shopping. For people wishing to volunteer for the sign-up process, there is an orientation program one hour before the sign-ups.

Regular sign-ups are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 at that same location. There will be one evening registration session from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3.

The volunteers then help recipients redeem vouchers for children’s clothing at Meijer from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13-17.



Requirements to be a recipient of Goodfellows:

Applicants must bring the following to registration for Goodfellows benefits:

• Picture identification for all adult members of the household that indicates applicant is a resident of Howard County. An Indiana driver’s license or ID card will be accepted. A First City Rider card will not be accepted.

• Social Security cards for all members of the household. This must be in the form of either Social Security cards or printouts from the Social Security Office or FSSA.

• Birth certificates for all children between the ages of 0 and 15. Children reaching age 16 prior to Dec. 31, 2009, will not be eligible for assistance. Pregnancies will require medical proof of due date. Families wishing to shop for “adult sizes” for eligible children must make this known at the time they file their Goodfellows applications.

• Applicant must have legal and physical custody of all children for which Goodfellows assistance is being sought.

• Applicant must provide income verification for all members of the household. The income for determining eligibility is based upon 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Households exceeding this amount will not be eligible.

• Applicants must provide receipts for how their income was expended during the previous 30-day period.

• Do not bring children with you.

For more information about the organization or to be a Goodfellows volunteer, contact Connie Longshore at 765-452-8259.

• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8565 or mike.fletcher@ kokomotribune.com.