THUNDER BAY -- The annual Parade of Lights just keeps on giving.
On Thursday organizers handed over cheques totaling $20,640 to four charitable groups, the proceeds of the popular annual event.
Greg Stephenson, president of the Thunder Bay Police Association said the money will be put to good use by the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, The Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association, Special Olympics and Autism Thunder Bay.
“They’re four very worthy charities and we were happy we were able to help them out and present the cheques to them today.”
Stephenson said there are ebbs and flows in parade participation, but the most recent one gives him optimism for continued success in future years.
“We have a lot of new entries, which is really satisfying to know that in the future that we’re probably going to have very successful parades coming up,” he said.
“We have our regulars that are in it every year and we had over 84 vehicles that were in it this year.”
Clarence Downey’s Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association says the $5,160 they received will prove to be of great assistance to help cover growing costs.
“We’ve been involved in it for every Parade of Lights since it started and this is one of our major fundraisers to keep our program running for all the kids in need of therapy on horseback. It helps kids,” Downey said.
“It’s an amazing thing to see all the sponsorship that we get from everybody in the community and all the trucking companies – Thunder Bay Truck Centre, Manitoulin Transport – and everybody that donates their time to put this on. It’s a great thing to do.”
