Goodfellows and Comerica Help Make Holiday Season Special in Detroit

It starts with a simple mission…. no kiddie without a Christmas. And it ends with more than 9,000 donated dolls dressed, judged and prepped for delivery as special gifts to kids throughout Detroit this holiday season.

For 17 years, the Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit has held the organization’s annual best-dressed doll contest that culminated this year with 150 finalists on display at the Comerica Banking Center, the bank’s Michigan headquarters in downtown Detroit. With assistance from Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin, four special doll enthusiasts ranging from 6-13 years old, selected a top 10 and then chose the overall winner.

“We are thrilled to be able to showcase our ‘best dressed’ dolls at Comerica's office building each year, and we greatly appreciate Comerica's support of our breakfast,” said Sari Klok-Schneider, Detroit Goodfellows executive director. “Corporate partners like Comerica set a fine example for other companies, and we are truly privileged to have their support each year.”

Comerica not only serves as the contest’s sponsor, but the bank also provides the largest group of volunteers to dress out the dolls via a process that began back in May. Goodfellows will then distribute dolls to children in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge and Ecorse this holiday season.

“The Goodfellows is very appreciative to Comerica for its contributions. Comerica employees dress about 1,000 dolls each year and have been involved with the program for decades,” said Klok-Schneider.

Detroit Goodfellows packages the dolls in gift boxes containing warm clothes, books, candy and toys, and then collaborate with Detroit Police precincts to distribute approximately 30,000 Goodfellows holiday packages to children ages 4-13. Funds raised by the Detroit Goodfellows pay for the holiday packages.

“The support of Comerica, other corporations and foundations in the metro Detroit area make our program possible each year,” said Klok-Schneider. “Without this enthusiastic support we would not be able to ensure our 105-year old mission of ‘no kiddie without a Christmas’”.

And which doll was this year’s winner… Mrs. Claus of course.