Local organizers of the Goodfellows Christmas Party say they’re shooting to raise $35,000 to put on the Dec. 22 celebration.
On Friday—a day after its traditional Thanksgiving opening day for fundraising—the Goodfellows had collected $1,500, according to organizer Richard Pendergraft.
The Goodfellows’ Christmas party is one of Henderson’s oldest holiday traditions. Pendergraft said the Goodfellows first Christmas party dates to 1948 when five leaders in the community picked children to attend. It’s grown and changed since. Pendergraft’s first Goodfellows Christmas party was in 1966. Pendergraft and brother, Larry, do most of the organizing for the party.
The money collected helps them provide toys, clothes, cake, ice cream and entertainment at the party at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.
All of what they purchase and all that’s donated is placed on tables at South Middle School the day before the party, what Richard Pendergraft calls “Sack Day.” At 8 a.m. Dec. 21, volunteers will come to the middle school and place all the gifts in sacks for each child.
The Goodfellows gather children’s names from schools and other outside organizations and then create an invitation that they send back to the child through his or her school. They send along a self-addressed stamped envelope to return an RSVP so that they can get a count of children who will attend.
Richard Pendergraft hopes that 500-600 children will attend this year’s party.
He said that items are priced about 25% higher than last year. So, they need to collect all they can.
All “the money goes for the kids,” he said.
To donate, send checks to Henderson Goodfellows, PO Box 1711, Henderson, KY 42419. Or, checks can also be sent to the City of Henderson, P.O. Box 716, Henderson, KY 42419. Checks can also be dropped off at the city building bill payment area. For more information or to volunteer, call Pendergraft at 270-860-7780.
