JOPLIN, Mo. – Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System’s stated goals are to provide top-notch medical care to the region as well as serve as a good neighbor by enhancing the well-being of the Joplin community.

No better example of the latter can be found than with the annual Joplin Christmas Parade, to which Freeman employees have donated countless man-hours over the years to organize and orchestrate the event.

In a press conference held Wednesday, October 30, at Joplin City Hall, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker and Keenan Cortez, City of Joplin Mayor, unveiled the 2024 Christmas parade’s theme – Winter Wonderland. The parade is set for 6:00 pm Tuesday, December 3, with a route starting at 15th and Main Streets and running north to Second Street.

“Freeman has produced the Joplin Christmas Parade since 2014, and we’re honored that the City of Joplin entrusts us with this job,” Baker said. “It’s a big project and takes hundreds of volunteer hours and many dedicated hearts to pull off an event of this magnitude. We embrace this challenge because it’s our way of giving back to the community that has supported Freeman Health System for nearly 100 years.”
Cortez took a moment to announce that Baker would be this year’s Grand Marshal. Having served at the helm of Freeman for the last 13 years, Baker announced her retirement earlier this year. Cortez cited some of Baker’s largest accomplishments, ranging from the leadership she demonstrated during the 2011 Joplin tornado disaster and COVID-19 pandemic to overseeing the expansion of Joplin West Hospital and the Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital now under construction in Frontenac, Kansas.

“We thank her for her service to our community these past years and find it very fitting that she will serve as this year’s Christmas Parade’s Grand Marshal,” Cortez said.

All proceeds from the 54th Annual Joplin Children Parade benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, an organization that makes miracles happen for local children needing help with medical issues. Monies raised help purchase specialized equipment, travel funds for out-of-town visits to pediatric specialists, or funding for individually trained service dogs for qualified children.

“One hundred percent of every dollar raised locally stays and helps children across 14 counties in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas,” Baker said.

New this year will be plenty of accessible parking for Joplin and area residents with disabilities.

“We’re proud to carry on this holiday tradition where you can make magical memories with your families and friends,” Baker said.

Freeman is now seeking entries for Joplin’s biggest holiday tradition. Non-school/band entrees are limited to the first 75 that register. You can register and find online entry forms at freemanhealth.com/christmasparade.