Mr. Goodfellow turns 100!

Mr. Goodfellow is old. In fact, this year he turns 100! But his cause never gets old.

For a century, the Mr. Goodfellow fund, established by the Pilot-Tribune’s publisher W. C. Jarnagin, and supported by donors like you, has provided warm winter clothing for local children who otherwise could not afford it.

The program has been under the management of the Times Pilot for the past two years.  Coats, snow pants, boots, gloves and hats are purchased for kids all over Buena Vista County — including Storm Lake, Albert City-Truesdale, Sioux Central, St. Mary’s and Alta.

What’s special about this year?

First, it’s the 100th year and it’s amazing a local newspaper could keep up a charitable endeavor that long. Families in the Great Depression, the farm crisis and in the midst of the daily grind of life in a blue collar meat packing town, have gotten a much-needed helping hand around the holidays.

Second, our helpers in all five schools — whether they be school counselors or in Storm Lake’s case, facilitators of family services — are fabulous at making this program run smoothly. They are resourceful, industrious, trustworthy and caring.

They get the job done. They decide which students most need winter gear. They make the purchases, selecting clothing kids want to wear and what will hold up best. They don’t overspend. They support local businesses. They discretely distribute the purchases to the children, and turn in receipts to the Times Pilot.

They are grateful as they watch their students play in the snow, warm and happy at recess.

“This is truly a blessing every year,” says Kara Nielsen of Alta Elementary.  “We are planning on mostly getting waterproof gloves/mittens, boots and a few coats.”

Kristine Brandenberger, Facilitator of Students and Family Services at Storm Lake Elementary, perhaps has the biggest job. She also oversees Mr. Goodfellow at the Early Elementary and makes contacts at the middle school to help there.

Last year many purchases were made in Storm Lake, to the tune of $25,000, but it turns out she has somehow saved back winterwear for this year, which is good news.

Kristine says:

“We still have a stash of coats and snow pants at the elementary school and early elementary, so we may not need to shop for those items for a while until we use up our inventory. Snow boots and mittens may be our one thing that we will need. We have lots of hats. I also have some coats that we washed and are recycling through before we purchase anything else. We also will try not to duplicate the list from last year, so if they received a coat last year then we will not use a Mr. Goodfellow coat for the child, but will find a different means of donation (pre-loved and washed etc.) I think middle school still has some coats as well, and high school is always on a need-be basis.”

A total of $33,160 was spent last year to buy winterwear for 370-plus kids in BV County.

Meanwhile we took in $13,352 from generous donors. Because of a surplus in the fund from previous years, we were able to do that, but this year, the schools are able and willing to get by with less, so we can keep the fund healthy into the next century.

Help us reach our centennial goal of $15,000. The forecast this winter calls for more snow than normal.

Please donate!

Donating to Mr. Goodfellow is the ultimate feel-good contribution during the holidays that makes a difference locally. You can be part of history!

Here’s how to do it:

• With our new QR code, donating is easier than ever, or you can click here to be directed to our donation page.

• We happily accept checks sent to Mr. Goodfellow, c/o Storm Lake Times Pilot, PO Box 487, Storm Lake, IA, 50588

• Call our office at 712-730-4991 and pay with a credit or debit card

• Visit us at 220 W. Railroad St.