A local mother and active volunteer has stepped up to make sure the Santa Claus Parade goes on this year, despite organizational glitches.
A wave of disappointment ran through the community last week when it was revealed the annual Santa Claus Parade could be cancelled. But perhaps no one was more disappointed than Shanda Dosanjh and her two little girls.
Dosanjh said she was shocked by last week's reports that the Chamber of Commerce was handing the parade organizing duties over to the downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA), whose president reacted by saying the group could not take it on with such short notice.
"I just said: 'What? No way! There has to be a Santa Claus,'" said Dosanjh.
Dosanjh has years of experience organizing and volunteering for kids' events, perhaps most notably as co-ordinator of Kids Loggers Sports. In 2009, she decided to hand those reigns over to other volunteers, promising her daughters they'd "go big" for the Santa parade.
So the possibility of the parade's cancellation came as doubly disappointing, she said.
"They were really upset and they kept talking about it that night [after reading the news reports], so I said: 'You know what? No. There's going to be a parade.'"
Now Dosanjh's determination is creating hope the event can be saved.
"Come hell or high water guys, I promise there will be a Santa Claus Parade," she stated on her Facebook page.
She said the reaction to her posting was swift and strong.
"I got emails and Facebook postings 'We back you!' 'We knew that you would do it!'"
BIA executive director Cinci Csere said her group is helping out in every way they can, including marketing, encouraging businesses to stay open late during the event and, of course, "being a proud sponsor."
"The Saving Santa Campaign is in full effect!" said Csere. "It is truly amazing how the community is so passionate to make this happen."
The event has been scheduled for Friday Dec. 11, and Dosanjh said she wants to make it bigger and better than ever, so she and other volunteers will visit businesses and organizations throughout the community to solicit participation in the parade.
"You don't have to have a float," she said. "You can decorate a shopping buggy, you can walk, dress up in a character. Walk down the street blowing bubbles."
There's much to be done, and part of the challenge is a lack of information from previous organizers, the Chamber of Commerce.
"I have to find the sleigh, nobody seems to know where the sleigh is," said Dosanjh.
And despite reports that Chamber staff handed pertinent parade documents and forms to the BIA, the BIA has stated the paperwork is not in their possession, so Dosanjh is starting from scratch.
But, she said, she has faith the help will come.
"It's a lot of work, but as long as I have my community to back me, it'll all be good."
To get involved, email Shanda Dosanjh at [email protected] or call her at 604 815-0876.
