The sale was the idea of James J. Brady, a successful businessman who never forgot his own humble roots. He was born in 1878 to a poor family in Detroit's Irish neighborhood of Corktown,
One day, Brady saw a Detroit News editorial cartoon entitled, "The Boy He Used to Be." It portrayed a wealthy businessman walking hand-in-hand with an impoverished newsboy, delivering Christmas gifts to the needy.
Moved by the cartoon, Brady contacted the newspaper to see how he could help. The editor directed him tot he Detroit Newsboys Association, a group of former newsboys and newspapermen. Brady met with the group and pitched the idea of selling newspapers on the city's street corners to raise money for needy children. The first sale was held December 21, 1914. The group's goal was $400, but they raised $2,275, enough to buy food, clothing and toys for nearly 3,400 children.
Nine years after starting the Goodfellows sale, James Brady died of a heart attack in 1923. His funeral Mass was held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Detroit.
Today the annual Old Newsboys' Goodfellows Fund of Detroit raises more than a million dollars a year.
- Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw