Maple Hill Holiday Parade sees record breaking donations
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Maple Hill Holiday Parade had a record-breaking year in 2021.
Paradegoers donated $3,400 and more than 400 pounds of food during the event last Saturday in downtown Kalamazoo, according to Parade Secretary Abby Vandenberg.
"It means everything, we were really amazed by the outpouring of support as we were walking through the parade," said Greta Faworski, associate director of Loaves and Fishes. "We had little kids running up to us with dollars and we just knew it was going to be bigger and better than it had been in years past."
Maple Hill Auto Group is expected to match the donation — bringing the total amount raised to $6,800.
All proceeds are set to benefit Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes to help fight food insecurity in the area.
Organizers said about 25,000 people lined the streets of Kalamazoo to see the marching bands, giant balloons and Santa Claus.
"As much as it was a Maple Hill effort, it was a Kalamazoo effort," Vandenberg said. "The parade wouldn’t have happened if no one showed up, so thank you everyone for coming out and showing up."
Loaves and Fishes will be able to feed more than 700 families with the money collected, Faworski said.
It was the 59th anniversary of the parade. News Channel 3 was a proud sponsor.
Maple Hill Auto Group said they plan to host the parade again next year.
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