The Christmas spirit was very much in evidence throughout Mapleton and area this past weekend. With Santa Claus parades in Drayton, Moorefield and neighbouring Palmerston drawing healthy crowds to area downtowns, it’s easy to see local residents are eager to celebrate and share in the season.
While there are bigger parades in larger communities, there’s nothing quite as special for local youngsters as attending their hometown parade and associated activities each Christmas. It’s the stuff great memories are made of.
That said, those organizations that take the lead in organizing local Santa Claus parades, the Optimists in Moorefield and local firefighters in Drayton and Palmerston, are deserving of accolades from their respective communities.
In addition to adding to the festivities of the Christmas season, the parades also bring crowds down town and provide local residents with the opportunity to celebrate as a community.
For those who weren’t able to make it out last weekend, Mapleton will be the scene of one more Christmas parade in Alma on Dec. 22 at 2pm. That parade, hosted by the Alma Optimist Club, is traditionally the last of the season in Wellington County.
The Christmas season also provides a reminder of the important role that local organizations play in ensuring a merry Christmas is possible for everyone. Donations to the Drayton Community Food Bank were accepted at parade locations and can still be dropped off at the Drayton Foodmarket, Drayton Reformed Church, RBC branches in Drayton and Moorefield, and the Mapleton Township administration centre.
In addition, the Drayton Kinette Club, which was recently re-established in the community, is conducting a toy drive and inviting citizens to drop off new, unwrapped toys at Dobben’s Hardware, Marspan Home Hardware or Fears Bibs ‘n’ Cribs by Dec. 18 for donations to area children.
It seems at this time of year Christmas spirit and community spirit become very much intertwined, to the benefit of all concerned.
