Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund Ensures There Is 'No Kiddies Without a Christmas'

For 90 years, the Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit has worked painstakingly hard to maintain and live up to the organization's sole purpose: 'No Kiddie Without a Christmas'. And, according to a press release that came out this morning, it appears that they have done it again.

Yes, that's right. This valiant and giving organization announced today that by meeting its 2004 goal of $1.7 million, it was able to provide 40,000 Christmas packages to underprivileged boys and girls throughout the cities of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck.

In addition to the Christmas packages, which contained items such as warm clothing, underwear, socks, books and art supplies, Detroit's Old Newsboys' Goodfellows also gave 14,000 dolls to each of its girl recipients, aged 7-10.

Along with its large Christmas donations, the non-profit organization also provides essential services to the needy children of Detroit throughout the entire year, such as emergency dental care and a shoe-donation program, which is facilitated in conjunction with Mr. Alan's. The organization, which was founded 1914 by James J. Brady, also provides seven Wayne State University scholarships each year to graduates of the Detroit Public School System.

Donations to the Detroit Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund are tax-deductible and accepted year-round. To make a donation, please click here. The organization kicks off its fundraising efforts every year on the Monday after Thanksgiving with its annual parade, when its members march down the streets and then disperse across the city selling special editions of The Detroit News, which can be purchased with any donation amount.

According to its website, the Detroit Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund is the original, as well as the oldest organization of its kind. It is not affiliated with any other Goodfellow group.

Celebrate Black History Through Dance

For six days next week, some of the most talented contemporary dance companies in the United States will be performing at the Detroit Opera Theater to honor African American contemporary dance.

The performances begin on Tuesday, February 15, at 7:30 pm with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, an organization that will pay homage to the late Sir Warren Spears, an international choreographer who was born and raised in Detroit. Dayton will perform four works on Tuesday, and will do a repeat performance on Wednesday night.

On Thursday and Friday nights, February 17 and 18, The Philadelphia Dance Company - founded in 1970 - will grace Detroit Opera House's stage with five pieces, ranging from the all-male, "Blue", to the all-female "Gatekeepers". The Thursday night show begins at 7:30 pm and the Friday night show begins at 8:00 pm.

The final two shows, courtesy of Alonzo King's LINES ballet, are scheduled for the evening of Saturday, February 19, at 8:00 pm and the afternoon of Sunday, February 20, at 2:00 pm. The San Francisco-based LINES company is world-renowned for its modern, sophisticated and contemporary styles.

Tickets for any of the shows are available through www.michiganopera.org.

Detroit "Zips" to Top of SE MI Home Appreciation List

Think Detroit home values are in the dumps? Think again.

Yesterday, the Detroit Free Press reported on the rapidly increasing home valuations in certain Detroit zip codes, with some areas rising as much as 43% since 1999.

The 48227, 48223, 48235 and 48219 zip codes ranked fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth, respectively, in a Top Ten list of Southeast Michigan's most-rapidly appreciating homes according to a recent report by the real estate firm Fiserv, Case Schiller Weiss. The company, based in Massachusetts, provides home price valuations to many leading financial institutions through its extensive database technology and collected research in the area of real estate and home valuations.

Click here for the complete Top Ten list of cities, as well as each city's respective home appreciation percentage increase since 1999.

Detroit Hockey Fans Can Get a Small Fix This Weekend

The NHL and its players haven't solved their salary-cap woes yet, but Detroiters suffering from a hockey-less season have two small treats in store for them this weekend.

Local news stations have been abuzz with excitement since the announcement came from three Red Wings - Hatcher, Chelios, and Draper - that they would be joining Detroit's Minor League Hockey Team, the Motor City Mechanics, for an undisclosed number of games. Although it still has not been determined whether Draper can play tonight due to contract issues, Chelios and Hatcher will be on the ice. The first game is tonight at The Garage in Fraser.

In addition to finally being able to see some of The Wings' players on the ice, The Joe will host the state's oldest college rivals - the University of Michigan and Michigan State - tomorrow night, offering yet another opportunity for Detroiters to get their hockey fixes. The rivals will battle it out at 7:30 pm. Tickets are between $10-28.

Celebrate Black History Month in Detroit

Today marks the beginning of Black History Month, a nationwide celebration commerating historic black leaders and reflecting upon black culture and its history in the United States.

According to findarticles.com, Black History Month began not as a month but, actually, as the second week in February. Originally termed Negro History Week by its creator - prominent black scholar Carter G. Woodson - in 1926, Woodson chose the second week of the second month of the year to celebrate black history because of two significant dates related to black freedom: the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln on the 12th, and the birthday of abolitionist Frederick Douglass on the 14th.

Designed to educate both blacks and whites about historic black figures and the black culture, the week-long event was eventually expanded to include the entire month of February, a decision that is reflective of more important dates in black history, including:

-The first Woolworth sit-in demonstration by black students in North Carolina (Feb. 1, 1960)
-Birth of poet Langston Hughes (Feb 1, 1902)
-Birth of Rosa Parks (Feb 4, 1913)
-Founding of the NAACP (Feb. 9, 1909)
-Nelson Mandela Released from 27-year prison sentence (Feb 11, 1990)
-Abraham Lincoln's birthdate (Feb. 12, 1809)
-Frederick Douglass' birthdate (Feb. 14, 1817)
-Assassination of Malcolm X (Feb. 21, 1965)
-Ordainment of Martin Luther King, Jr., as Baptist minister (Feb. 25, 1948)
-First female African American lawyer graduates from Harvard Law School (Feb. 27, 1872)

This article from the January 28, 2005, online edition of the Free Press includes a variety of Black History Month events in and around Metro Detroit during the month of February. Take some time to enjoy an appreciate the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in America's history.