The
Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade is an incredible Austin tradition and really sets the spirit of giving in motion for the entire holiday season.
All parades have bands, floats and clowns. THIS parade actually teaches children the joys of helping those less fortunate. Every family who lines up along Congress Avenue to watch the pageantry also brings along a present …a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Operation Blue Santa.
I’ve seen this gift giving from start to finish. Long before I hosted the parade, and my daughter was very young, we would ALWAYS reserve the Saturday after Thanksgiving to come to the Chuy’s parade and make a donation. My first parade was 1993, so it’s been a family tradition for 15 years.
Since KEYE has been a longtime Operation Blue Santa sponsor, I’ve also helped sort and wrap the donated toys. But the true fun comes in on delivery day. It’s magical to bring a car full of toys and food to a family who otherwise would have a dreary Christmas. Watching the children’s eyes light up when you put the presents under the tree… it makes you feel a little like Santa Claus.
If you want to get your holiday season off to the right start, come out on Saturday morning, bring a toy and share a little holiday cheer.
