Upon hearing the Waukesha Christmas Parade was suddenly without a title sponsor, it didn't take long for two businesses in the community to make sure the long-standing event had the funds it needed.
Waukesha newcomer Meijer and R&R Insurance are stepping in to ensure the parade will go on.
In past years, the BloodCenter of Wisconsin has been the presenting sponsor for the parade, held annually the Sunday before Thanksgiving in downtown Waukesha.
But recently the BloodCenter of Wisconsin announced it would no longer provide the financial support for the parade, leaving the city's chamber of commerce less than a month to try to find new business support.
Meijer, the Michigan-based retailer that is building a mixed-use store in Waukesha, then announced it would give $5,000 for the parade.
A couple days later, longtime business R&R Insurance, 1581 E. Racine Ave., Waukesha, announced it would allocate the remaining $2,500 needed.
Mayor Shawn Reilly said Meijer officials first reached out to him about becoming one of the title sponsors for the parade after hearing the BloodCenter of Wisconsin decided not to be a sponsor anymore.
Reilly said he then reached out to R&R Insurance to see if the company would assist.
"They immediately said yes," Reilly said. "They've been in the community forever and are a tremendous asset."
Reilly said he's appreciative these two businesses "stepped up to make sure the parade took place."
"It would be very sad if the Christmas parade didn't happen," said Reilly, who will walk in the parade. "So it's a heartwarming Christmas story in itself. Waukesha received an early Christmas."
The parade, in its 53rd year, will step off at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. The theme this year is "The Isle of Misfit Toys," based on the 1964 television production "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
This is the fourth year the chamber of commerce is organizing the parade. The now-defunct downtown Waukesha Business Improvement District previously headed up the event.