Once again, it is that time of year we all look forward to: The Daily Gazette & Classic Image Johnstown Holiday Parade on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

Unfortunately, this year's economy has been hit hard. I have noticed the losses with the parade money for advertising, sponsorship and monetary donations to the parade.

I have done separate fundraising to help the parade. Now I am reaching out to those of you who can help by either volunteering time, making a monetary donation to the Classic Image Johnstown Holiday Parade, sponsoring a division or participating in the parade.

We're always looking for plywood, 2-by-4s and other items for one large float at the end of the parade. If you would like to mail a donation, please mail to: P.O. Box 245, Johnstown, NY 12095, or you may drop it off at Belle Fiori, 58 E. Main St., Johnstown.

If you would like to drop off candy or wood, please use the same address. We also will accept gift cards to help offset the items needed for warming and feeding the children.

This parade means a lot to the community. We have people who drive miles to come here to see our parade, and we have people locally. You may reach me at 848-3666.

I volunteer my time 100 percent to this parade and will do everything I can to keep this event going. Please donate anything - candy, wood, bags for candy. All monetary donations are listed in the advertising booklet as well as any item, unless you specify differently.

Our insurance alone is roughly $600. We are not paid for any part of this parade.

Transportation for the Johnstown High School Band and Amsterdam are not readily available. We try to find the means to bring them here.

Also, I have M&K Construction to build, fasten and secure everything on the three trailers and a tractor-trailer donated by Dan's Excavating. M&K is usually there one week to get all the trailers together.

We appreciate all the help people in the past have been able to give. Your donations helped us throughout the years. Good luck to the businesses that are having some difficulty now.

Any money left over, minus next year's expenses, is donated to the needier children in the community schools. There are forms that need to be picked up and filled out by the guardian. There are requirements to qualify.

KAREN COPPOLA

Johnstown