(PCM) The Sidewalk Santa Parade has been a New York City tradition since 1902. However, 2013 will be the year that the over 100 year old tradition will come to an end.
“Volunteers Of America” announced that they will not have a parade of Santas this year and are finding other ways to generate donations for the program which raises money for those in need during the holiday season.
The parade would traditionally run along NYC’s Fifth Ave and the proceeds collected would be donated to the “Hope & Hearth” program, which will still remain despite the lack of a parade.
The following message was posted on the organizations website:
We have decided to find other, more effective ways of raising funds for our Hope & Hearth food voucher program that do not rely on placing suited Sidewalk Santas out in the cold. New, exciting collaborations are forming with companies and individuals who see the value of providing holiday meals to people in need including their families, the frail elderly and others we serve.