The Children's Holiday Shopping Tour, organized and operated by the Grand Rapids Jaycees since 1957, provides approximately 150 underprivileged children each December with the opportunity to shop for Christmas presents for their families.

Jaycees members, community and state leaders, members of the media, and other volunteers are among the more than 100 helpers at the event. After shopping, the children enjoy refreshments and receive a gift of their own from Santa Claus while their gifts are being wrapped by the volunteer “elves.”

Held on the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving in downtown Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Jaycees Santa Parade is a West Michigan tradition of more than 100 years. The parade serves as the kickoff to the holiday season in the region.

The parade hosts a crowd of approximately 10,000 patrons annually. Nearly 100 entries make up the parade every year. The parade dates back to the late 1800s. In 1969, the Grand Rapids Jaycees took control of all aspects of the parade.

The parade will begin at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Avenue, traveling south on Monroe, turning left onto Monroe Center, right onto Division Avenue, right onto Fulton Avenue and left onto Market Avenue.

For information, visit www.santaparadegr.com

Since 1982, the Grand Rapids Jaycees have organized and operated the Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) State Basketball Tournament. More than 500 athletes from across the state participate in the tournament and skills competition. This multi-day event is held every year in March at area schools; currently, the competition is held at Rockford High School, Rockford Freshmen Campus, and Rockford North Middle School.

If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail me at grjcsomivolunteer@yahoo.com. Please include in your e-mail: 1) your name, 2) your preferred position, 3) the shift you are available and 4) your telephone number. Your contact information will not be used for any other purpose than this event.Please note that this event fills up very quickly and volunteer positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Check out the tournament's event page on Facebook.