Aug. 24, 2007 – Chairman Martin Oliver and Treasurer Sal Sanpere have made a generous donation to Toys For Tots on behalf of the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade Committee. The parade has become a St. Croix holiday tradition for the past eight years and has grown into a multicultural event in downtown Christiansted. Besides a line of brightly decorated and lighted vessels, the committee arranged entertainment on land including Willard John's Moko Jumbies, the Ricardo Richard's Steel Pan, Christmas Carols sung by the Gentlemen of Jones, a laser light show, a radio live remote broadcast by Roger W. Morgan and Santa Claus handing out candy to the children.
Oliver praised the Christiansted business community for their support and promised an even bigger parade this December. The organizers will increase the number of prize-winning classifications for this Christmas season's parade to include different sizes of boats and additional categories such as Most Creative.
Sanpere was successful in raising donations that not only fully funded the event but also allowed for the excess money to be presented to the local Marine Corps Association to fund their Toys For Tots efforts. A check for two thousand dollars was presented to Carl Gotts, representing the St. Croix Marine Corps Association. Gotts said, "Toys For Tots is a well-known Marine Corps tradition and over the past ten years has become a St. Croix Christmas tradition as well. My fellow marines and I are very grateful for the parade committee's generous donation."
For information, contact Carl Gotts at 719-4065 or 332-1579.
