We Love Willowdale
Christmas Walking Parade & Market
We along with Willowdale Church Coalition hosted our first annual "We love Willowdale Christmas Walking Parade & Market" on Saturday, December 4th at Willowdale Presbyterian Church at 38 Ellerslie Avenue! It was a wonderful time hosting a free admission event to spread joy and Christmas cheer in our community with our neighbors since the lockdown.
1000+ neighbours were in attendance, they shopped from 40 local vendors including artisans and small businesses. Everyone had a joyous time as they enjoyed hot chocolate, Christmas Zumba with Sairah WF, performances from Caitlin Ryan, Sarah Murley-Hauser and her students from the Willowdale School of Music.
Santa made an appearance at Willowdale Presbyterian Church and lead our neighbours through a joyful walking parade throughout Beecroft Rd, North York Blvd, Yonge St, and Churchill Ave. Santa brought the parade back to Willowdale Presbyterian Church for some chili.
As our neighbours enjoyed the chili, they shopped more from the local vendors, heard speeches from Councillor John Filion and MP Ali Ehsassi. As the night was coming to an end, everyone enjoyed watching musical performances from Matt Gerber, Santa and OurChurch band.
Due to the generosity of our community, we collected 1500 non-perishable food items and toiletry from this event and Toronto Miracle collectively! This food will be going right back into the community through our 415 Food Hub
Thank You!
Thank you, to all who shared in our "We Love Willowdale Christmas Walking Parade & Market". It took a small army to pull it off! Special thanks to Willowdale Presbyterian Church, Faith Church, Willowdale Baptist Church, REACH North York, North York Chinese Baptist Church, Fiona Ng, OurChurch Band, Toronto Life-Spring Christian Fellowship, Wellspring Worship Centre, Laura Puiras, Rebecca Levan, Matti Prima, Vijay Thomas, Jim Hedger, Faith Holwyn, Danielle Yu, Sebastian Biasucci, Lily Cheng, Maria Speare, Colleen Stevens, Matt Yuyitung, Grace Law, Miriam Roopanram, Jayencyi Alexander, Beth Little, All Vendors, Attendees who brought donations for the food bank, All 30 volunteers - many from Earl Haig and Northview, Sarah Murley-Hauser, Willowdale School of Music, Sairah WF, Caitlin Ryan, Matt Gerber, Ali Ehsassi, John Filion, Stan Cho, and
