Macomb County

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Students, faculty, staff and alumni encouraged to walk in the Macomb County Santa Parade and to support third annual Food Drive

icon of a calendarOctober 22, 2018

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Registration open for Santa Parade; Food Drive

More than 300 Oakland University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are expected to walk in the 43rd Annual Macomb County Santa Parade on Saturday, Nov. 17. This is Oakland's seventh year as an event sponsor and OU will again have one of the largest parade groups proudly marching down Main Street to usher in the beginning of the holiday season.

Presented by the City of Mount Clemens, the parade features 150 entries that include high school marching bands, service clubs, floats, fire trucks, holiday characters and flags showcasing Macomb County communities.

Parade participants are asked to meet at the OU Anton/Frankel Center beginning at 8 a.m. for registration and refreshments. A group photo will be taken at 9 a.m. The parade begins at 10 a.m. The first 300 people to register will receive a free Grizz sweatshirt on the morning of the parade.

Online registration is open now through Friday, Nov. 9.

In addition to the parade, Oakland University and the City of Mount Clemens are hosting a Community-Wide Food Drive and parade participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable and canned food.

Donations will benefit the Macomb Food Program. Registered OU parade participants are eligible to receive complimentary gloves, a scarf and/or a beanie hat based on the number of food donations they contribute.

Julie Dichtel, executive director of OU Macomb County Outreach, said “Last year, the OU community collected close to 1,200 pounds of food — nearly triple the 394 pounds collected in 2016. By collaborating with the City of Mount Clemens, this year’s goal is an ambitious 3,000 pounds.”

Shannon Mallory, program manager for the Macomb Food Program said, “Collected food provides ‘immediate relief’ to a network of more than 50 Macomb County hunger relief organizations.”

Barb Dempsey, Mayor of Mount Clemens added, “OU has always been an outstanding community partner.”

More than one-third of current OU students and approximately 23,600 OU alumni live in Macomb County.

“Participation in the Santa Parade and Community-Wide Food Drive is a great way for students, faculty, staff and alumni to show their Grizzly Pride where they live and work,” added Dichtel.

Call (248) 379-3910 or email Rebecca Robbins, OU community engagement intern, at [email protected] with any questions.

Learn more about the Macomb County Santa Parade.

Learn more about the Macomb Food Program.

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