This Christmas will be extra special for 14-year-old Max Neale.
The Grade 8 student will be the marshal at this year’s Thunder Bay Police Association Parade of Lights. Neale, who actively participates in various programs at the George Jeffery Children’s Centre, said he’s excited to be a part of the parade.
Max will be in one of the trucks as it makes its way from Manitoulin Transport down Main Street, then down the Harbour Expressway and then back onto Memorial Avenue and then finally onto Fort William Road.
He said his goal is to honk the horn loudly in one of the big trucks while having lots of fun.
The event raised $21,500 last year to help children and youth with special needs. Money raised from the event will go toward Autism Ontario, George Jeffery’s, Special Olympics Ontario and Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association.
Ingrid Lingman, a volunteer with Autism Ontario, said families look forward to the parade every year since it started 14 years ago. She said the money raised at the event will help send children away to camp and give them an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise.
“The money really benefits local families,” Lingman said.
“Our chapter locally sends 20 families to camp every summer with the money that we generate from the parade of lights. Because children with autism spectrum disorders have a lot of special needs and need a lot of accommodations the best people to do that accommodating for them are their families.”
So far, 15 trucks have registered to be in the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1.
Const. Julie Tilbury said they hope to raise more than last year and possibly reach the $30,000 mark.
“It’s a magical event for our city,” Tilbury said. “It allows you to go out but you can keep warm in your vehicles or if it is a nice day children can go out and actually be out there.
"Each year the lights get better and better and we’re just looking forward to a super event. I think this is a great family event.”
Businesses and organizations that wish to participate can register online.
