The week of Thanksgiving is one of my favorites of the year. From the big dinner with members of my family and in-laws, outlaws and assorted others to the day-after leftovers, it seems to always be a great time.
The following weekend is always filled with activity as we transform our house from the day-to-day dwelling we've known for more than two decades to a colorful display of sights and sounds that can only mean the Christmas season is here.This transformation takes a lot of work. My wife is the ringleader, and she relishes the task.Finding places to hide items that must be put away to make room for Christmas decor is a fairly monumental task in and of itself. And as I reach my mid-50s, crawling under a Christmas tree to adjust lights and hook up extension cords is no day at the beach.I hate the work, but I love the results. I've often told my wife and kids that my favorite night of the year is the first evening after the inside decorations have been put up. There is absolutely nothing I enjoy more than sitting in the den of our home where the only light is that from the Christmas tree lights and the other decorations in the room. It gives me such a sense of peace and joy -- serenity personified.My Christmas preparations will not be complete without the task I will perform today. I will drop by the mailbox adjacent to the Richland Hills City Hall and deposit an envelope with our yearly donation to the Goodfellow Fund.I have no idea why I became so enamored with the Goodfellows and their mission. Sometime in my early adult years, as I became more familiar with what the fund seeks to do, I became hooked. My need to support this fantastic and worthwhile venture has taken hold of me.The Goodfellow Fund is 100 years old this year. Richard Greene (of Fort Worth, not the former Arlington mayor) has been the director for the past eight years. The Star-Telegram administers the fund, and Catholic Charities handles the job of qualifying applicants and supplying them with gifts. The fund allows approximately 20,000 children to have a better Christmas.Applications for help are distributed in September. Representatives meet with more than 9,000 applicants to make sure they qualify. All children who receive help are residents of Tarrant County. They range in age from months old to their early teens.The Goodfellow Fund is not a toy-based charity. Other organizations, such as Santa's Helpers and Toys for Tots, do wonderful work, but the aim of Goodfellows is to provide clothes and shoes.In fact, the fund shifted when Star-Telegram executives learned that many children did not return to school after the holiday break. A closer look revealed that many lacked winter clothing or coats.A grand idea born 100 years ago remains the model of generosity.Merry Christmas, everybody!Gerald Page of Richland Hills is a member of the 2012 Star-Telegram Community Columnist Panel. gpage58@gmail.comHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
