Two thumbs up — albeit gloved ones — to Collaborative Children’s Solutions for stepping up to organize the annual downtown Jamestown holiday parade.

Formerly organized by the Downtown Jamestown Development Corp. and then the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, there appeared to be a very real chance the parade may not happen this December because there was no one to organize it. That would have been incredibly unfortunate — and something we hope city officials find a cost-effective way to address moving forward.

More information about the parade will be released soon. For now, the most important news is simple that the parade is happening.

Many in the area may not be familiar with Collaborative Children’s Solutions. The organization works to help children by partnering with providers, agencies, school districts and organizations to collaborate on projects that help children. Collaborative Children’s Solutions is heavily involved in the Toys for Tots drive as well as helping to bring Chris Herren, a former NBA player, to Jamestown to speak about his experiences with addiction.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions and its founder, Patrick Smeraldo, have taken a big step by offering to organize the parade. The work isn’t done. Those who didn’t want to see the parade end, or who wanted to see the tradition preserved for their children or grandchildren, can pitch in and volunteer by calling 499-4065 or emailing ccsolutions716@gmail.com.

Collaborative Children’s Solutions has taken a step in helping organize the holiday parade this year. Let’s make this the biggest and best holiday parade yet. Volunteer. And plan to attend.