Goodfellow’s Drive helps people spread the Christmas spirit this holiday season

SHELLEY:  The annual Goodfellow’s Drive, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Shelley and Firth, concluded with 264 Christmas food boxes being delivered to area families in need this past Tuesday, December 20.

For more than 35 years, Firth and Shelley have participated in the Kiwanis Goodfellow’s Drive, raising funds to provide a Christmas dinner for families in the area. First, volunteers raise money by ringing the bell at businesses around town.

“One hundred percent of the donations go to building Christmas dinner boxes and donated hams to the food pantry for their Christmas baskets,” Karla Tew said.

Karla Tew, Vice President and manager of the Bank of Commerce in Shelley, has been in charge as a Kiwanis member of the Goodfellow’s Drive for 25  years.   

“We have 264 Christmas food boxes being assembled today,” Tew said. “There are two boxes more this year than last year.”

The number of boxes assembled is based on a number submitted by the church clergy of different faiths throughout the area.

“The annual Goodfellow’s Drive has been around for more than 35 years,” Craig Geary, a longtime member of the Kiwanis, said. “I believe the Kiwanis Club took over the Goodfellow’s Drive from the Chamber of Commerce back in the day.”

Each year, Shelley and Firth’s high school students help assemble the Christmas boxes. Shelley High School Principal Burke Davis instructed the students on what items to put in each box. Each box included ham, potatoes, eggs, cake mix, canned vegetables, and other items to fix a significant Christmas meal.

“Normally, students from the Key Club, FFA, and Natural Helpers from both schools are involved in putting the boxes together,” Bryan Jolley, a Kiwanis member, said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for them to help people in the community.”