Detroit Goodfellows Awards Go to Special Michiganders

Carol Kane
| Detroit Free Press Business Columnist

With the holidays now and 2024 just a few weeks away, it seems like a good time to reflect on a few recent announcements that will have some people and organizations turning the page and writing new chapters.

After 110 years of handing out dolls (over a million in Detroit!), gift boxes, shoes and more to children during the holidays, the Detroit Goodfellows will be getting something of a reboot with a focus on trying to encourage more young people to get involved. with a non-profit organization.

That’s what Jordan Malka will focus on as he steps into his new role as CEO of Detroit Goodfellows as Sari Klock-Schneider retires at the end of December after 26 years.

Malka considers expanding the nonprofit’s base a priority. She knows a thing or two about this, as the Dearborn native has volunteered with Goodfellas for years.

“What really attracted me was the focus on joy,” she said. “Goodfellows don’t just provide basic needs; they create happy memories for the kids and that’s so important.”

Providing holiday gifts for children will remain core to its mission. The nonprofit will distribute more than 26,000 gift boxes throughout metro Detroit over the next few weeks.

The charity, under the slogan “No Children Without Christmas”, was started by journalist James Brady in 1914. Recipients included millions of Detroiters, including such celebrities as Mayor Coleman Young, former Wayne County Executive Ed McNamara and columnist Pete Waldmeir.

The breakfast honoring Goodfellows was added 34 years ago and was held each fall with hundreds of people in attendance. The breakfast is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit’s programs year-round and will certainly continue to do so.

Sheila Ford Hamp (Detroit Lions owner) and her husband Steve Hamp were honored for their community service at a sold-out memorial breakfast on October 11th.

Longtime Detroit Goodfellows champions who might want to buy the organization’s holiday newspaper sold in Detroit on the Monday after Thanksgiving are out of luck. The organization decided to join forces with the tree lighting ceremony in Detroit last Friday. They set up a kiosk there and sold their newspaper.

Without a doubt, even greater changes await the organization.

First time inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.

History was made at the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Nov. 12 at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit when Janice K. Means became the first female engineer to receive the position.

The hall honors more than 300 trailblazing women with Michigan ties, including the late civil rights icon Rosa Parks, the late first lady Betty Ford, comedian Lily Tomlin, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the late Frankenmuth restaurateur Dorothy Zehnder.

“As the first engineer inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, I strive to be a positive role model for young girls and minorities who will pursue careers in STEM fields, especially engineering,” Means said.

Others inaugurated this year include U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn; Julia Donovan Darlow, first female president of the Michigan State Bar; The Honorable Bridget Mary McCormack, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice; the late Elizabeth Whitney Williams, Michigan’s historic lighthouse keeper and author; the late Anne Parsons, former President/CEO of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Geneva Smitherman, co-founder of the doctoral program in African American and African Studies at Michigan State University.

Throughout her career, Means has worked on issues of technology, science, climate and the environment. Before retiring, she worked in business and taught at Lawrence Technological University. She gives speeches around the world on these issues, about these issues.

She talked about the importance of mentorship in her career, so she gives back.

“I publish, volunteer with my professional societies (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; Detroit Engineering Society and Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association) and give presentations,” she said.

Carolyn Cassen, president and CEO of Michigan Women’s Forward, which oversees the Hall of Fame, said it’s critical to recognize women’s accomplishments.

“It inspires the next generation of women leaders,” Cassen said.

Games that some people play

Ken Hayward, vice president and special assistant to the president for public affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, will end his time with the insurer at the end of 2024.

His departure will be similar to that of Dan Lepp, who is ending his career as Blues president and general manager. Hayward came to BCBSM from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, where he spent decades.

“I went to work at the Grand Hotel right out of college,” Hayward said. “I fell in love with the place and the way Mr. (Dan) Musser (former hotel owner) handled hospitality. I spent 35 years there until it was sold to private equity.”

Hayward joined BCBSM four years ago and has been at the forefront of many initiatives, including the Children’s Health Partnership and other programs that promote health equity, access to health care and assistance to Detroit neighborhoods.

A star athlete at the University of Michigan, Hayward lived and breathed baseball. He was inducted into the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 in July and was inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor in November.

“Baseball opened the door for me to go to college, and then after getting my degree, it opened the door for me to pursue a professional career,” Hayward said. “I am honored to represent two great Michigan brands. … I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

Contact Carol Kane at [email protected]. She is a senior producer/host. “Michigan Matters” which will air at 5:30 a.m. this Sunday on CBS Detroit and 9:30 a.m. Sunday on the CW Detroit 50. See MichAuto’s Glenn Stevens Jr., MITechNews’ Mike Brennan, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Supervisor and University of Michigan Regent Denise Ilic and Chris Holman, founder and CEO of Michigan Business Network, on Sunday’s show. You can also watch Michigan Affairs on Fubu, Pluto TV, YoutubeTV and Apple TV, where listings for those two stations appear.