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'Santa Claus parade fails a littie short of its fundraising goal The Canadien Afiemoon at siots Enjoy an afternoon at the- slots'in aupport of the Deidre and Friends oundation. ible foundation, which pno- motkea research for bonc mar- row cancer, wîill boat a fisndraising event Febnaiy 18 at Woodbine Racetrac. Tickets coat $40. Cal 878- 3401. By CARRIE BRUNET The Champion Despite falling short of their fundraising goal this year, orga- nizers of the Milton Santa Claus Parade say Santa will corne to town again next year:' In recent yeara, volunteers collecting donations from parade spectators gathered aa much as $8.000. That number dropped by haîf thia year aa approximately $4,000 was collected. Parade committee member Paul Scherer attributed the ahorifaîl to weather condi- tions. "It was rainy. Attendance was down a bit," Mr. Scherer aaid of the November 26 event. He added that the disruption of' munici- pal and federal elections in November had committee members strugglisg to pull everything together. The annual cost of the parade rus about $16,000, haîf of which is footed by local busineasea and organizations. Despite the Iack of preparation time, Mr. Scherer said this year's parade was ose of the beat so far. In it'a 26th year, the parade had 80 participating groupa, including floata, banda and dance groupa. "We had a receasion in the early 1990s and the parade almoat died," Mr. Scherer aaid. He explained that aince then, the cors- mittee triea to budget ose year ahead for its ansual coats. While thia year prudent tinancial plan- ning will allow the parade to go on, Mr. Scherer aaid he'a worried thia might become a trend. "If thia keepa up, sext year will be very difficult," he aaid. The parade sot osly providea entertain- ment for the town, but is a venue for the Salvation Army and the firefightera anssual food and toy drives. "The parade geta people thinking about donations," said Janice Tanaey of thse Salvatios Army. "It helpa people remers- ber that we seed the food. It'a a kick start for us." The Salvatios Army was able to collect I ,200.pousds of food at thia year'a parade, according to Ms Tansey. Rus strictly by a volunteer group, plan- ning for the parade staris after labour day. "There's an enormous amount of work that goea isto it, Mr. Scheoer said. -It's a source of pride for Milton," Mr. Scherer aaid. "When it comes to amaîl towns, no ose touches us in ternis of our Santa Clasa parade." Donations cas still be made to thse parade 1usd by mailing thers to Use Milton Santa Claus Parade Committee, Box 440, 420 Mais St. E., Milton, L9T 5G3. Those intereated in volunteerisg cas contact Pauli Scherer at 878-9124. .~ r ~-___M_ You've always got time for- a Holiday bs a2 103am-No Public3200prt- :5 r CaaPt esrctos pl Courtey ofTYurs Loa - 4~$ 1 at 2 Milon arenas Mêusic at 9t.on pruénts... «Soings of Comfort anuf loy'> peiormdby ,Wr-nMtoý,üfiscover the true some of the mostbèofiubhui4ftheseason Adémission -$10.00 at'Okjfoor a portion of the proceeds wi(( 6e donated to the Sa(vation l4rmyi Christmas Juruf Member of Arts Mvilton 1'- e.