Joplin Christmas Parade set for Tuesday evening

Hundreds of Freeman Health System volunteers, in partnership with the City of Joplin, Joplin Police Department and Joplin Fire Department, are donating thousands of man-hours to ensure the 54th installment of the annual Joplin Christmas Parade runs as smoothly as ever.

Freeman volunteers will be grouped at key intersections along the parade route overseeing the various marching bands and themed floats as the parade entries smoothly navigate a route stretching north from 15th and Main Streets to Second Street.

Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker, alongside Joplin Mayor Keenan Cortez at Joplin City Hall last month, helped unveil the parade’s theme, “Winter Wonderland.” Baker is serving as this year’s parade marshal. Freeman has organized and overseen the parade since 2014.

“It’s a big project and takes hundreds of volunteer hours and many dedicated hearts to pull off an event of this magnitude,” Baker said. “It’s our way of giving back to the community that has supported Freeman Health System for nearly 100 years.”

All proceeds from the parade benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, an organization that makes miracles happen for local children needing specialized equipment or out-of-state travel expenses. One hundred percent of every dollar raised locally stays and helps children across 14 counties in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.