Goodfellows allows us to give children gifts of hope and happiness, but the real gift is knowing you made a difference in a child's life.

This Sunday, Dec. 9, over 60 Wake County children, ages five to eight, will be treated to a Christmas they may not otherwise experience. These children, each accompanied by a chaperone, will descend upon Belk’s kids department at Crabtree Valley Mall for a magical shopping spree for everyday items that are commonly taken for granted, such as belts, coats, underwear and shoes. After shopping, the Goodfellows children will be whisked to the Crabtree Marriott and treated to a traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings. Local mascots Mr. Wuf, Stormy, Wool E. Bull and Ronald McDonald will join face painters, balloon artists, Happy Dan the Magic Man, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to make the event extra special for these children.

Special guest chaperones Arlie Honeycutt, Miss North Carolina 2012, Tiara Joseph, Mrs. Black NC USA 2012, Shaunielle Foster, Ms. Black NC USA 2012, and William Dingle, Mr. Black NC USA 2012, along with Naya Coard, National Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2012 and Taylor Hunt, Miss Black USA Princess will be on hand to join the festivities and later Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to pass out gifts to all the children.

See the press release for more details.

Goodfellows has been supporting those in need in the Raleigh community since 1934. This effort, led by the Raleigh Jaycees, started as a holiday food drive for those impacted by the Great Depression, ensuring families would have food through the holidays and winter months.

Today Goodfellows brings Christmas to the less fortunate children of Raleigh with a day of one-on-one attention filled with a shopping spree for their basic needs, a traditional holiday feast with all the trimmings, festivities, gifts and a special visit from Santa Claus.

We are thankful to partner again this year with Belk at the Crabtree Valley Mall and the Crabtree Marriott to help provide this special day for approximately 60 local children. But we need your help to make this day a reality with vans and gas for transportation, food for the feast, and toys for each of these very special children.

There are many ways you or your company can support Goodfellows, from Sponsoring a Goodfellows Child to making a corporate donation. Check out the Upcoming Events, Donate & Sponsor and Volunteer pages to learn more and see how you can be a Goodfellow!