K-W Santa Claus Parade only has half the volunteers it needs, organizers say

The K-W Santa Claus Parade will be making its way down Weber Street Saturday morning, but organizers say they only have half the number of volunteers they need for the parade to run smoothly.

The Lions Club of Kitchener has been organizing the yearly parade for 15 years. Jack Bishop, chairman of the club, said they normally need about 100 volunteers to run the parade, but only 50 people have signed up so far.

"We need assistance in marshalling the parade, as well as carrying signs that identify the sponsors," Bishop said.

"And we have a number of costumes that younger people can wear and go down the parade to entertain the children along the route."

Volunteer shortage

Since the pandemic, the Lions Club has struggled to get people to come out. Bishop said they would get a good turn out of volunteers pre-pandemic.

"We had difficulty last year, too, and this year is the same," he said.

"It's not just us. Anyone who needs volunteers to make things happen is facing the same issue. I don't know what's happening with the people out there and why they're not volunteering like they use to."

A volunteer shortage has been impacting many organizations and non-profits across Canada and the region since the pandemic. 

Jane Hennig, executive director of Volunteer Waterloo Region, told CBC News in January the pandemic changed how people volunteer with many people not wanting to commit long term or don't feel safe to return full-time because of COVID-19.

"It's harder to recruit volunteers," she said.

Bishop said they are working on a contingency plan right now, but it'll be tough to get by with half the volunteers.

"It really affects the quality of the parade," he said.

The parade is set to kick off on Frederick Street at 10 a.m. this Saturday and make its way down Weber Street to Erb Street in Waterloo.

Bishop said anyone interested in volunteering can head to the Lions Club of Kitchener's website to register.