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Westland Goodfellows honors donors, prepares gifts for about 400 children; council used $10,000 in ARPA funds
Summary
Council President Pro Tem Melissa Sampe and volunteers recapped the Westland Goodfellows packing and distribution, saying the program raised about $61,000 and served roughly 400 children this year. Sampe and board members thanked sponsors — including a $10,000 city contribution from ARPA funds — and urged continued volunteer support.
Council President Pro Tem Melissa Sampe, who is co‑vice president of the Westland Goodfellows, updated the council on the group's holiday distribution and thanked volunteers and donors for supporting roughly 400 children this season.
"Today is our packing and distribution day is tomorrow," Sampe said, describing a packing event staged the day before distribution. Sampe and board members said the volunteer organization raised about $61,000 and had adopted or served roughly 400 children, with about 200 adopted and another 200 remaining in the program this year.
Former Mayor and Goodfellows board member Mike Alondo listed major donors and said the Westland City Council donated $10,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds. Other donors mentioned during the presentation included local businesses and civic groups that contributed at a range of levels.
Board leaders described the program's year‑round volunteer work, including emergency visits to Jefferson Barnes community center and the organization's reliance on local volunteers and sponsors. Sampe read a proclamation honoring long‑serving volunteers and presented certificates to board members who have led the program for many years.
Sampe invited sponsors forward for group photos and acknowledged in‑kind partners and event hosts. Organizers said volunteers packed gift bags, matched family wish lists and issued food vouchers and Meijer gift cards to families in need.
Sampe asked residents and businesses that want to help to contact Goodfellows for future volunteer and fundraising opportunities, and she said some long‑running volunteers had been near burnout this year before new leadership and donations reinvigorated the effort.
