11 December 2009

Sharing the Spirit of the Season at Palmerston North's Christmas Parade 2009

IPC Staff Members Participated as Volunteer Marshalls

By Shirley Ghozalli. Edited by Moira Blake.

One of the volunteering IPC staff, Zebunisso Alimova (right), with two famous characters from the Muppet Show, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog

To welcome the festive season in the traditional manner, Palmerston North held its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, 5th December. Starting at 3 pm from the old Railway Land by Pitt Street, forty-five floats processed around the town centre and through the Square, finishing back at the starting point at 4 pm. In the Square, local performers entertained the crowds from morning and there were also stalls selling all sorts of goodies.

Three IPC staff members, Mike Charles, Zebunisso Alimova and Shirley Ghozalli were among about 60 people, who donned red t-shirts with "Volunteer Marshall" written on them and participated in this year's parade. The Parade was organized by the Rotary Club of Palmerston North, and most of the other volunteers were Rotary Club members.

The Rotary Club of Palmerston North is a branch of Rotary International, which is a worldwide service club organization. Rotary club members, or Rotarians, are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally providing humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. For more information on the Rotary Club of Palmerston North, please visit http://www.pnrotary.co.nz

The main duty of a volunteer marshall was to keep a safe distance between the vehicles and the crowds, especially the children. As well as the Rotarian volunteer marshalls, a group of army cadets also walked beside the parade floats.

Zebunisso commented, "It was an unbelievable experience to be included in the parade and I felt like I had a VIP pass to the event." According to Mike, who has been a Rotarian for 20 years, the Rotary Club usually offers services for public events like this. It is one of its ways to do fundraising.

Santa Claus accompanied by Miss Manawatu 2009 and Miss Teen Manawatu 2009

The start of Palmerston North's Christmas Parade 2009

The Muppets 'n' Mercs parade float

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