Santa Claus’ gig is pretty well-known at this point: He’s usually the one bringing the gifts. But in Molalla, they do things a little differently.
The Molalla Fire District’s annual Operation Santa Claus parade, which will return to the community for three nights the first week of December, involves Santa visiting neighborhoods throughout town — but this time, you do the giving.
Specifically, Santa and district firefighters will be collecting canned and other nonperishable food items for those in need this holiday season.
Santa will be waving to children and residents from the district’s antique engine, which will be decked out with Christmas lights and other festive finery.
The parade will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, December 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, December 4, and from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, December 5. Route maps are available below.
Molallans can place donations in the traditional brown paper bag and leave them on the curb of the parade route or hand them to firefighters as they pass by. Donations can also be made at the bins located at various businesses throughout town.
Operation Santa Claus is one of the community’s largest annual outreaches, raising almost 12,000 pounds of food in 2019 with the help of Molalla Kiwanis and the Molalla High School Key Club.
Donations support the work of the Molalla Service Center, St. James Church and Foothills Community Church.
