Holiday Parade Book Donations​​​​​

2026 Toledo Blade Annual Holiday Parade - Saturday, November 14, 2026​​
​

BVYC Members,

 

Each autumn our club looks forward to one of its most cherished traditions. The Toledo Blade Annual Holiday Parade. It provides not only a chance to showcase our creativity and community spirit, but also an opportunity to make a lasting impact on children and families throughout the area.

 

As we look ahead to the coming parade, we encourage all BVYC members and friends to get involved—whether by volunteering, supporting fundraisers, donating, or simply cheering us on from the sidelines. Every year, the excitement builds not only among our club and other AYC clubs but also throughout Toledo as the community rallies to support this long-standing event. By working together, we help foster a love of reading and celebrate the joy of the holidays, making lasting memories for families and children who line the parade route. Let’s continue to build on the tradition, spread generosity, and ensure that the spirit of BVYC shines brightly for years to come.

 

This year the Toledo Blade Holiday Parade will be on Saturday November 14th, 2026, at 10:00 AM in downtown Toledo.

 

The Parade is by invitation only, and we are one of over 60+ organizations included in the annual festivities. This all began in 2013 with Sharon Kneisel’s dream of dressing up and being part of the parade. Sharon created and sewed many costumes to dress up many BVYC members as Dr. Seuss Characters. That first year we passed out Dr. Seuss bookmarks, erasers and pencils. A few years later we began handing out age-appropriate books to children along the parade route, then eventually Dr. Seuss coloring & activity books!

 

In 2019 Bay View Yacht Club handed out over 1,600 books, and in 2021 that number grew.  In 2022, we handed out 2,250 books, in 2023 an amazing 3,500 books, 2024 3,099 and 2025, 2,116 which brings our total number of gifted books to over 13,550. Seeing the joy BVYC brings to these children is amazing, and is very rewarding to those who participate on parade day. The generosity is a wonderful reflection of our club and a great way to give back to our community, and you should all be very proud!

 

The books for parade day 2026 have been ordered, all 2,280 of them, and we are gearing up for distribution along the parade route! We are hosting fundraisers and ask for your support, and of course, monetary donations are always welcome.

 

Please share this information with anyone you think can help. Feel free to message, email or call me if additional information is needed.

 

You can see past parade photo’s here BVYC Holiday Parade | Facebook

 

Feel free to join us for the pre-and post parade at The Blarney, they have been a great supporter by reserving our ring side seats each and every parade day! Thank you BVYC

​

​​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​​​​

​

Click here to view the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Flyer to learn more about the event on Friday, October 9

​

Parade Day 2025 is in the books! On November 15, Bay View Yacht Club members proudly participated in the Toledo Blade Holiday Parade for the 13th consecutive year. With the support of our club members, friends, and dedicated volunteers, we distributed more than 2,200 books to parade attendees. This year's success brings our total book distribution over the past 13 years to more than 12,000 books!

     

THANK YOU!

 

2025 Recognition of Donors

Whoville Helpers - Donors giving up to $100, totaling $455.00​

Amy Kurtz

Tara & Brad Miller

Carl & Deana Butler

Chuck & Carol Schanteau

Larry & Pam Marter

Greg & Lisa Runion

Sue & Wayne Pitock
Patty & Tom Kovach

Chris Jurek

Barb & Damian Pflaghaar

Doug & Erin LaLonde

Charlie & Pat Gallagher

Don & Vicky Griffen

Barb & Shad Peterson

Patty & Kevin Krabach​​​​​​​​​​​

​

​​Seussville Supporters – Donors giving $100 - $400, totaling $475.00
Amy & Dennis Kazmierczak

Jeff Cromwell

Gina & Aaron Skolmowski

Grinch Givers – Donors giving $400 - $500 totaling +$1,000.00
Jane & Bob Kervin

Michelle & Walt VanDromme

Kim & Ron Kay

With your help we can continue this tradition, we will accept donations

throughout the year to purchase, hopefully 3,000 books in 2026!

Feel free to message, email or call me if additional information is needed.

​

Contact Parade Coordinator:

Jolene Wagner @ 419.343.2807

​

​

​

​

​