Essex Region Goodfellows holding paper drive Friday and Saturday

It's not just the Windsor Goodfellows gearing up for their paper drive, the Essex Region Goodfellows are also asking the broader community to keep them in mind this weekend.

Since 2005, the Essex Region Goodfellows have fundraised to help support local food banks consisting of the McGregor St. Vincent de Paul, Harrow St. Vincent de Paul, Essex Salvation Army and the Essex Food Bank. 

Over half a million dollars has been raised and given back to the community over the years.

The annual newspaper campaign in the county takes place on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18.

Chair of the Essex Region Goodfellows, Richard Meloche, says local fire fighters, community organizations and volunteers will be selling newspapers on the streets and at businesses in a few places.

"We're going to be on the streets in Essex, Maidstone, MacGregor and Harrow selling newspapers in order to raise funds to help out four local food banks. All the money that's raised this weekend due to newspaper sales will be used directly for food purchases for those food banks."

Meloche says they've been fortunate enough through paper sales and corporate sponsorships to be able to fund each of the four food banks about $15,000 over the last few years.

"To help out not only at Christmas time but after Christmas as well, so they can get through those tough months and afterwards through the winter. We'll be at local grocery stores, and anywhere where there's a lot of people. We hope that people stop and help out because it's for a great cause," he said.

He says even during challenging times the community continues to step up, and they're hopeful that continues this year because there's so many in need right now.

"We're very happy to be out there, and we're very pleased that our firefighters for the Town of Essex are all involved. You'll see them out on the streets in everyone of our communities that we have within the Town of Essex. I think the respect of the fire fighter's uniform being out there on the street just goes to show how great of a cause this is."

Members and volunteers will be out and about between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, as well as between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Organizers are still looking for volunteers if people are interested, and anyone who is interested is asked to call 226-724-2121.

- with files from AM800's Rob Hindi