Clownie Connection

The Parade Company Volunteer Newsletter

Volunteer sign up forThe Parade will begin

September 4.Watch your email!

Clownie Call Out!!

If you've ever dreamed ofbecoming our beloved mascot,Clownie, here's your chance!

We are in need of volunteers towear the Clownie mascot

costume and represent TPC atevents during Parade season.

If you are interested, please email

volunteers@theparade.com.You'll need to come to the

Studio to be fitted and receivetraining.

In T his Issue

Summer Kick-off!

Cruise in Shoes 5K

Volunteer Spotlight

Thanks from the Rooftop!

May/June 2019 Issue #3

JOIN US!JOIN US!VOLUNTEER SUMMERVOLUNTEER SUMMER

KICKOFF EVENT & BBQKICKOFF EVENT & BBQSaturday, July 27, 10:30 AM

TPC Studio

On Saturday, July 27, 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM, join us atThe Parade Company Studio as we kickoff thesummer float build season!

Help with float washing, building, painting; or pull up achair and help with sewing in the costume department. We will have food, beverages, fun raffles, and lots oflaughs. Plus, Arlene will be selling vintage costumesstarting at $5!!!Friends and family are welcome to join (remembervolunteers must be 16 years old to volunteer)!

To RSVP, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-kickoff-to-summer-registration-35545740266

Summer Kickoff 2018

6 AM - 10:30 AMCourse Marshals Needed!

To sign up: Log on to Volgistics:

https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?from=244046

Click "Sign Up" on the Home page.Go to the volunteer calendar and click "HelpWanted" on the August 17 date.

If you have not joined Volgistics yet, you can sign upby sending an email to volunteers@theparade.org.

Dee w a s a Floa t Spotter a t th ePa r a de in 2 01 6 .

Dee w or kin g on Hen r y For d inth e A r t Stu dio in 2 01 3 .

Dee a t th e 2 01 9 V olu n teer Th a n k You Pa r ty

DEAIDRE (DEE) JONESDEAIDRE (DEE) JONES

Age: 46 years old (but my virtual age is 30...LOL)Occupation: Librarian in the Music, Arts, & Literature Department

at the Detroit Public Library

It takes hundreds of skilled, dedicated and big-heartedvolunteers to help The Parade Company (TPC) successfully dowhat we do year-after-year. This issue, we are shining thespotlight on one of those incredible volunteers: the alwayseffervescent and energetic Dee Jones.Anyone who has ever met Dee knows that she is adventurousand willing to try anything once.Her volunteer service at TPC is no exception - she'svolunteered for just about everything!"I have been a banner carrier, balloon handler, float spotter,float driver, tour guide, float host, and last year I wore a BigHead (Rosa Parks) in the Parade," says Dee. "I havevolunteered for special events such as the Auto Show, FordFireworks, several 5K walks, and Hob Nobble Gobblepresented by Ford. I also have helped clean and paint floats."The only thing Dee hasn't tried yet is joining the DistinguishedClown Corps (DCC) ... but give her time, and she'll probablyadd that to her bucket list.Dee donates over 80 service hours each year while working afull-time job and being a super mom to eight adult children.Did I mention that she's also a published author?It takes real talent to wear so many hats and to wear them sowell. We so appreciate Dee and all she does for ourorganization. Enjoy the following Q & A with one of TPC'ssuper volunteers!

Dee a t Hob Nobble Gobblepr esen ted by For d in 2 01 7

Dee w a s a Ba n n er Ca r r ier a t th ePa r a de in 2 01 2

Q: How long have you been a volunteer with TPC?Q: How long have you been a volunteer with TPC?A: I have been a TPC volunteer for almost eight years.

Q: How did you get involved with TPC?Q: How did you get involved with TPC?A: I got involved with TPC because my child was in the Paradeperforming with the Detroit Public School All City High SchoolMarching Band. My other children wanted to get involved aswell but were minors and could only do so if I was in theParade with them, so my youngest son signed us up tovolunteer. Q: Are you from Michigan? Did you grow up watchingQ: Are you from Michigan? Did you grow up watchingthe Parade?the Parade?A: I am a native Michigander as well as a native Detroiter. Iwas born, bred, and educated within city limits. I indeed grewup watching the parade and got a chance to see the Parade inperson a couple of times. When I became a parent, I madecoming down to the Parade a yearly family tradition. Q: What is your favorite volunteer position? Q: What is your favorite volunteer position? A: My favorite position is a tour guide. I really love seeing thefaces of people when they walk into Studio A then realize howlarger than life our beautiful floats are. I like it when our moremature guests share stories of Parades past. I love it when theBrownie troops recognize something during the tour fromwatching the Parade on TV or online. Tour guides get thehonor of highlighting how wonderful the Parade is and howmany dedicated employees and volunteers work very hard tobring the Parade to life. Q: What is your favorite TPC event?Q: What is your favorite TPC event?A: My favorite TPC event is the Hob Nobble Gobble presentedby Ford! I have had the pleasure of volunteering andparticipating in this glorious event. You get a mini-parade, acarnival, great food, and concerts all in one night. You just can'tbeat that anywhere. Q: Best volunteer memory?Q: Best volunteer memory?A: My best volunteer memory has to be when I got theopportunity to dress up like an elf and dance with the WDIVChannel 4 News anchors for Christmas in July at the TVstation. My mother didn't know I was there; she thought I wasat work that day. When the show aired live on TV, she calledmy phone nonstop to tell me that there was a girl on televisionthat looked just like me! I told her that it was me and shecouldn't believe it. I told my boss that I had very "importantbusiness" to attend to and needed the day off. Who knew thathe watched "Live in the D" during his break! When he inquiredabout my business when I returned to work the next day, I toldhim that I was helping Santa out.

Dee clow n in g a r ou n d a t th eStu dio

Q: Do you have any kids?Q: Do you have any kids?A: I have six biological children and two additional childrenthrough marriage. Total is five boys and three girls, ages 21-28.I also have a grandson and a granddaughter who are one-year-old. Q: Do your kids volunteer? Q: Do your kids volunteer? A: Most of my children have volunteered for TPC. They werebanner carriers, clown helpers, and costume fitters. Theyvolunteered with me when they were teenagers and have nowcome back as adults to volunteer when they are on break fromcollege. Q: Why do you volunteer?Q: Why do you volunteer?A: I volunteer because I enjoy giving back to the community.What better way to give back than to put smiles on people'sfaces? We are all from very diverse backgrounds with thecommon goal of wanting to have fun and enjoy a holidaycentered around being thankful. Q: Favorite song?Q: Favorite song?A: My favorite song is Overjoyed by Motown's own StevieWonder. Q: Favorite place to eat:Q: Favorite place to eat:A: Sweet Potato Sensations!! They have the best sweet potatowaffles and fried chicken. Yum! Q: Something cool about you that few know ...Q: Something cool about you that few know ...A: I like to take long rides with my husband on his motorcycle.It feels great to feel the wind in my hair and just for a fewmoments be fun and carefree. I am a published author ofseveral adult and children's books. I also sing in theDetroit Public Library Community Choir. Q: Have you ever sang while volunteering? Q: Have you ever sang while volunteering? A: Yes! I've sung for a few of our special needs guests duringtheir studio tour, and they loved it! Q: What other causes organizations do you support? Q: What other causes organizations do you support? A: I am passionate about literacy, domestic violenceprevention, church, and local cultural events. I volunteer forthe Detroit Jazz Festival, church, I have independently helpedscores of students navigate the financial aid process, preparefor the G.E.D., and improve reading skills. I have alsovolunteered for Think Detroit Pal, Detroit Public Schools, andother local charter schools.

Q: Have you won any awards or received recognitionQ: Have you won any awards or received recognitionfor community service or other talents?for community service or other talents?A: I won many volunteer awards in the past. One that I amespecially proud of is when I won a contest for banner designduring the cheerleading competition at Think Detroit Pal morethan 10 years ago. Q: Best place you've traveled ...Q: Best place you've traveled ...A: The best place that I have visited was the National Museumof African American History and Culture. That was by far thebest museum that I have ever been to from the interactivedisplays, the virtual car rides, and wonderful exhibitionsthroughout. We were there for several hours and were not ableto get through half of the museum. I will definitely returnbecause there is so much to learn and see.

BIG HEADS & BASEBALL!July 25, 5:30 PM

Jimmy Johns Stadium UticaWe need more volunteers to wear papier-mâché heads (Big Heads)for the Big Heads & Baseball event on Thursday, July 25. Volunteers will pose for photos, hand out giveaways and brochures.We will also have a parade around the baseball field!!If you can help, let us know!! Sign up on Volgistics or send an emailto volunteers@theparade.org.

________________________________________

SIGN UP TODAY! Detroit Metro Convention &Visitors Bureau

Big Heads & Handlers Needed!Port Detroit

130 E Atwater St

The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau is scheduling aseries of welcome events for the cruise ships that enter into thePort of Detroit now through the fall. We are in need of volunteers towear the Big Heads or serve as Handlers for each event. Thevolunteers will welcome guests and take photos between 8:00 AMand 10:30 AM. See the schedule below for dates. We Depend on YOU! Please do not sign up unless you know for sure thatyou can make it. EVENT DATES

8/8/19 8/14/198/26/19 9/13/199/19/19

If you can help, please sign up on Volgistics If you have notjoined Volgistics yet, you can sign up by sending an emailto volunteers@theparade.org.Volunteer Job Descriptions:

In order to volunteer to be a Big Head, you must be able to wearone of our paper mache heads. If this is your first time wearing ahead, you will need to come to our studio and try on the headsbefore the event. In order to sign up as a Handler, you must be able to lift about 10-20lbs because you'll be helping your assigned Big Head put ontheir head and costume. You will also assist with photo ops.

T HANKS T O ALL OF OUR RIVER RUN VOLUNT EERSFOR ANOT HER GREAT EVENT !!!

What action, if any, do you want your m embers to take? Add a "Find out

MAY JUNE JULY

Margaret AntushevichLavette Benson

Linda BiggerCynthia BlackburnMargaret Boussum

Jim BoylanGwen Britton

Shekinah BrownDoug BurtonSheila Butler

Philip CampbellApril Campbell-Williams

Nancy CataldoRalph Cheney

Jeffrey ColemanKendria Cooper

Jennifer DaleSusan Daron

CC DavisJacqueline DemmerEmoni DickersonMary Clare Duran

Elayne ElliottReuben Ellman

Kyley FleckAnnalisa Fleming

Tracy FletcherRicky Flowers

Jordan FozSandy Gabel

Tonya GarretteSuzanne Goldstein

Jonas GoodwinCourtney Hammerle

Deborah HarrisIlene Harris

Patricia HarrisonKelsey HatleyShardae HeardRose Hepner

Christine HoodKristin Hoy

Vivian HunterLaurie Janick

Kai JonesJanice Justice

Peggy KerrAngela Kirby

Shirley LedfordNorm Levy

Kristin LewandowskiDuvall LewisMary Lewis

Charma Lovett

Karen AbellaRaina Aiello

Robb AlbrechtTara AlexanderRyan AnklamSteven Avery

Jennifer BairleySharon Bastianelli

Irene BialczakViola Bryant

Dalton BurleighCherish Calleja

Suzanne CantrellEllen Carter

Michael CarusoJanette Cavender

Nancy CepedaWilliam Chilton

Melody ColemanSandra CurtisKaren DavisEric Decker

Maria DekimpeTimothy D. Deuby

Shalonda DunnKimberly Durden

Tori DuvallTonie ForbesParish FrazierSandra FrenchCarrie Gardner

Thereatha GaskinsCora GlennIsaiah Grant

Randy GrieserJames Gruda

Stephen HackettLynn Herrick

Barbara Hines-SturrStacey HinkleAlicia Hodge

Terri HolderithEricka Howell

Kelley Hunter-CareyMae Ingram

Sharond JakubusTimika Jefferson-Franklin

Rayvonte JohnsonStefanie Karadian

Amy KauffmanSherrie KillebrewEugenia Killian

Jeffrey KingsburyHeidi Kreindler

Gul AhmedMesha AllenBrian Alvin

Beatrice AndersonBeverly AtkinsRhonda BaileyKaren BangoRaquel Banks

Jill BaranLeila Barrett

Renee BradleyWaheeda BrandonDorothy Brennan

Sarah BryantGeorge Burgess

Kay BurhansTracey Burton

Pamela Burton JohnsonEbony Carson

Ken ChavisDarlene Chivinsky

Rachel CollierKathleen Copeland

Jena CraftonDiane CzaplickiRobert CzaplickiValencia DanielTamara DaviesNikishia Davis

Larry DeanMary Kay DeMayoMichael DingeldeyGabrielle DowdellShanee Elerson

Mark EllenaAnn Marie Ellis

David EllisE Essak

Steve FerrierKevin Gorman

Daniel HaggertyCynthia L Heldt-Kitowski

Kimberly HooverAnton Horton

Feana Humphrey

MAYKevin Machus

Lisa MartinGloria Mccollum

Beth MehrLinda MerkersonMichelle Morton

Laurie MuellenhagenKathy Niver

Earnett NoldenTammala Paige-Wigg

Gloria PettyDebra Poole

Evelyn PowellMadona Rascoe

Yvonne ReedJillian Rhind

Matthew RodemanTeresa Rodriguez

Penny RoppDonna RubinJohn Scotto

Wendy SeatonDana SharpeSylvia Sharpe

Deshonda ShortsMatthew SilskiEnid SimmonsJames SlowikDaniel Smith

JJ SmithNishant SoodCarol Straub

Nancy SwansonJennifer TedderJackie Thomas

Lorraine ThomasMarcel Thomas

Rita TurnerDiane UnderwoodDonna Voytush

Jan VuckovRudy Vuckov

Carol WashingtonKen Wiktor

Ruth WilliamsDoris Wilson

Mary Ann WojackMary Wright

JUNEAmy Long

Peggy LoseyPat Lutz

Rolanda MasseyUrsula McCrayPat McDonaldHarvey Miotke

Barbara MitchellMarie Morris

Sherry MortonVenus MosesPatti MuellerKim Naglich

Kathy NathanBianca NistorLeslie Pertz

Susan PiccirilliDawn RapaportLoren Rascoe

Debbie ReevesDarlene Rivers

LeShauna RobinsonJoanne RodemanLindie Rudover

Azalea SabaKathleen SchmidtValerie SeccombeRobert Shephard

Charles SikoraErlean Smith

Arneader SnowdenCynthia StraughnHeather StuperaLaura Sturdevant

jennifer swannSara Talabi

David TempletonTreazure Terrell-Wilson

Scott TerzichPatty Torrey

Rachel TuzinskyMichael Vogel

Jamario WashingtonShaticka Wesley

Brad WilliamsKinyotta WilliamsRamon Williams

JULYJohn Hunt

Jordan HuntMichelle Jackson

James JensenKathleen Jezak

Melissa KaspariNancy KayneMarilyn Kiefer

Suemarie KlimekKaren KnoxTom LaabsJulie Lazarz

Denise LeonardBill Love

Christee LoveRick Mabe

Michael MarshEvelyn McClellan

Payton McComseyTeresa McGuckinJamie MeadowsMatthew MillenCarolyn MirandaKimberly MizziNima MokaramTatum MullinsLydia MunozAmelia NorrisJustin Obrien

Pam OlechBob Oren

Staci OseidKena Parrish

Vashun PattersonLauren PennerJennifer Poole

Jeannette PuglieseAdriana Ramirez

Maria ReyesCynthia Roddie

JULY BIRTHDAYS CONT ... Mario RossiAlexandria RugensteinDebbie SchneiderTynique ShawTawana SimmonsTeante SimsPaul SingletonRon SmithCandace SnyderAlan SpeedTimothy SpositoMary Stroud

Leslie TaylorJennifer TenglerDanielle TiernanChedebrius TiggsJevon TinsleyDeborah TolesSusan Van CampenAndrew VettingRochelle VitaleNicole Wade-BellKimberly Wallace

LaVonne WaltersSharon WashingtonMarisa WeberMarilyn WhiteDenine WilberCleo WileyMary WilsonScott WilsonKenya WinnCathy YoungJochlynn Young

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!16500 Tireman Detroit MI

Volunteers are needed to help with a carnivalhappening on Saturday, August 17. Report time is

10:30 AM. Event ends at 6:00 PM.Volunteers are needed to help with line control, crafts

and picnic area.Sign up on Volgistics or send an email to

volunteers@theparade.org.

VolVolunteers Ready, Set, Gounteers Ready, Set, Go! ! INCREDIBLE SHINCREDIBLE SHOW ... OW ...

INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS!!!!INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS!!!! Visit the following link to v iew more photos:

https://theparade.org/ford-fireworks/photo-galleries/

THANK YOU!!!!!

STAY CONNECTED!