Downtown Chatham BIA chairman Andrew Thiel called GDF-Suez’ sponsorship of this year’s Santa Claus parade “a Godsend.”
The wind turbine company donated $18,000 toward the Nov. 15 event, allowing the parade committee the opportunity to concentrate on the event’s quality.
“When organizing something of this scale, the first thing you need is sponsorship,” he said. “Now that the money’s in place we can move onto the event itself.”
Thiel approached GDF after the firm was one of the sponsors of Retrofest. “They really are dream partner because they’re so easy to work with.”
Tim Sullivan, GDF’s manager of business development said his group “left the door open” following Retrofest.
“If you look at GDF in Europe, we have a history of involvement,” he said. “We received such positives from Retrofest that we were happy to be involved in the Santa Claus parade. The fact that health care is involved makes things that much better.
Funds raised through the event by sale of Christmas tree ornaments, will be collected by the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for the purchase of fetal heart monitors.
Thiel said he isn’t overly concerned with threats of boycotts and protests of the parade as listed on the Chatham Daily News’ website Thursday.
The comments, posted through the websites’ practice of anonymous commentators using pseudonyms, were closed later in the day.
“I suppose they have to do what they have to, do but I hope cooler heads will prevail. This is a day for children and a great chance to help local health care,” Thiel said.
The theme for the parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is “A Christmas Wish.”
The parade will begin on Sandy Street, head down Lacroix Street, turn onto King Street and finish up at the WISH Centre, where Santa will be able to greet any and all children that want to express their “Christmas wish.
heres a Christmas wish. I wish GDF Suez would leave CK. have a nice day.
It is great that GDF Suez is willing to give back to the community despite the debate over the turbines. The community can use more companies willing to do this!
My Christmas wish is for Brad Maynard to leave CK and Companys like Suez stay and actually contribute to this wonderful city,its hayters like below who hide behind a computer and destroy communitys like ours.I say if you dislike this community so much…Get the hell out!!!!!!