This Year's Project:
About Our Organization
Journal Goodfellow Charities, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Established in 1914, this local charity distributes toys and books to local families in need during the Christmas holiday season every year. This charity is led by Sioux City Journal employees, supported by community volunteers and completely funded by donations. All proceeds raised, go toward buying toys and books.
The toys and books are given at no charge to families who apply for them. The ages we serve are newborn to 12 years old. Every child receives two toys and a book. In 2019, we helped over 1,400 Siouxland families.
In the 106 years that Journal Goodfellow Charities, Inc. has been around, we’ve never had to turn away families. This year, we are anticipating the number of families requesting assistance to increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Journal Goodfellow Charities, Inc. doesn’t discriminate. Any parent or guardian who feels they need assistance can apply for toys and books for their children. This charity is designed to give a helping hand to those in need.
Our application period is from November 1 – 30. Applicants can mail-in or drop off their applications found daily in the Sioux City Journal, weekly in the Siouxland Shopper’s Guide and Neighbors products. We do call to verify the number of children, their ages, and gender living in their household to make sure we have enough age appropriate gifts for each family.
The families we serve come from Siouxland. In 2019, we helped families from the tri-state area: Sioux City, Sloan, Moville, Kingsley, Hawarden, Holstein, Onawa, Sergeant Bluff, Pierson, Castana, Sheldon, LeMars, Danbury, Hartley, Lawton, Climbing Hill, Salix, Melvin, Whiting, Merrill, and Remsen, IA; South Sioux City, Hubbard, Homer, Rosalie, Dakota City, Winnebago, Macy, Pender, Ponca, and Walthill, NE; North Sioux City, Dakota Dunes, McCook Lakes, Elk Point, Jefferson, and Vermillion, SD.
You can learn more about the Sioux City Journal Goodfellow Charities, Inc. online here at https://siouxcityjournal.com/goodfellows/.
Christmas Toys for Siouxland Kids
Families must apply for Mr. Goodfellow toys. The application runs every day in The Journal and in the Siouxland Shoppers Guide. The application can also be picked up at The Journal, 515 Pavonia St. Toys will be distributed in December by Siouxland volunteers from youth groups, schools, individuals and more.
The fund drive culminates with the annual sale of the Little Yellow Dog pup at noon in December at the atrium of the HoChunk Centre in downtown Sioux City. Last year, Polar – a Golden Retriever -- went to the highest bidder to the tune of $15,750. The 2019 auction date and dog have not yet been revealed.
You can learn more about the Sioux City Journal Goodfellow Charities online here at https://siouxcityjournal.com/goodfellows/.
Thank you for taking the time to consider donating to Mr. Goodfellow Charities. For more information on donating or to volunteer to help with the distribution of toys and books, contact Angie Dye at 712-293-4274 or adye@siouxcityjournal.com.
https://siouxcityjournal.com/goodfellows/