Behind the Headlines

We survived another Goodfellow Sale this past weekend despite the frigid, windy and wintry conditions. It never ceases to amaze me how generous people can be at this difficult time of year. People of all ages and sexes willingly rolled down their windows to donate to our charity (the Erie Food Closet). One man stopped in a van at Sterns and Crabb Rds. and asked me why I was soliciting. When I answered him, he promptly pulled out his wallet and dropped a $100 bill in my jug. I asked for his name and address so we could send a proper thank you, but he politely refused. He just said “God is the one to thank because he is good.” I couldn’t agree more. I actually ran into the man again about an hour later at the intersection of Dixie and Manhattan St. in Erie and he donated again, this time about $8 or $9. He still wouldn’t tell me his name, but he did say he lived just north of town. There was another man who dropped in a $20 bill who said he was criticized by someone for not donating more the first time. He, too, wouldn’t give me his name. There were many other folks who kindly gave. Even a young lady on a cell phone donated while still talking (which is a good lesson for others who think they can’t do that). There’s always a few elderly men and women who dig deep into their pockets or purses to find an extra coin or two. I’m sure many of the Goodfellow salesmen and women froze this year, but it was worth the effort. I felt bad for the ones who worked early Friday in the cold rain. The afternoon wind was terribly strong, often moving me from my perch on the yellow dividing line in the middle of this four-way stop. Someone must have been concerned about my safety because a sheriff’s deputy rolled up and activated his emergency lights. He wondered what I was doing and if I had a permit. I showed him my driver’s license and then told him we’ve been covering this corner for 25 years and never had a problem. The deputy was young and probably not familiar with the longstanding tradition of the Knights of Columbus to sell at street corners. He said okay, but advised me not to sell too much longer. So a half hour later I left and found a new spot in downtown Erie. It wasn’t as windy, but still very cold. I met a lot of nice folks there, too. God bless them all for donating to a worthy cause.