Shults Auto Group has been announced as the official transportation of Santa Claus at the Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration scheduled for Friday, December 2, in downtown Jamestown. Shults will provide transportation for Santa Claus through the holiday parade to City Hall as well as co-host a food drive that evening.
Pictured: (left) Tim Shults, Owner of Shults Auto Group, and (right) Greg Lindquist, Executive Director of Jamestown Renaissance Corporation
“This is the third year in a row that Shults Auto Group has provided transportation for Santa Claus in our annual downtown parade,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., events and marketing associate for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. “Their attention to detail, creativity, and support of our downtown events means a lot to us and the greater Jamestown community. We always look forward to seeing what Shults will do next,” said Rodriguez. Shults Auto Group creates 3-5 custom parade entries using vehicles available for sale or lease through their network of dealerships.
Aside from their involvement in the parade itself, Shults Auto Group is also partnering with Buffamante, Whipple, Buttafaro, PC, to collect non-perishable foods and canned goods the night of the parade as part of the BWB’s “Together We Can” food drive challenge.
“Our community has been so gracious supporting many different initiatives throughout the year. We partnered with BWB this year to bring awareness to our communities support to fight hunger across Chautauqua County,” said Matthew Kahm, vice president of marketing for Shults Auto Group. “We encourage everyone who is attending the parade to bring one canned food item to support our local food banks. Let’s show the entire community how we can come together during the holidays and make sure everyone has a warm meal on the table,” said Kahm. Community members interested in supporting the initiative can donate their items two different ways the night of the parade. Donated food items will be collected by Shults Auto Group and BWB employees at the end of the parade as Santa Claus makes his way through the parade route. Donated food items will also be collected outside the BWB building lobby at 201 W. Third Street. Food collected during the drive will be donated to Jamestown’s Salvation Army food pantry.
The “Together We Can” food drive challenge has been an on-going initiative for several years at the BWB accounting offices in Olean and Jamestown. The food drive started when employees donated bags of food that filled an office cubicle and continues to grow each year.
“We hope that this event not only brings awareness to this important need in our community but also serves as an easy way for people to donate,” said Ryanne John, administrative manager for Buffamante, Whipple, Buttafaro, PC. Office clients, friends, and other businesses are now participating in the event and it is because of their generosity that the firm is now loading its lobby during Jamestown’s parade. Now in its sixth year, “Together We Can” has collected nearly 60,000 pounds of food for area food pantries.
After Santa Claus makes his way through town, his arrival at City Hall will signal the beginning of the parade’s annual fireworks display. After the fireworks have ended, Santa Claus will make his way to the Jamestown YMCA for Santa’s Family Workshop. The event runs from 7-9:00 pm and includes ornament decorating, face painting, holiday themed karaoke, pizza and refreshments, a visit with Santa Claus, and more. Cost to attend Santa’s Family Workshop is $1 per person. Children under 2 are free.
To download the application for your business, social organization, or nonprofit to enter the parade, CLICK HERE.