Freeman News

Freeman Announces Theme of 2017 Joplin Christmas Parade

October 18, 2017

Volunteers receive permit to organize annual event.

For the fourth year in a row, Freeman Health System will manage the Joplin Christmas Parade. This includes a donation of countless man-hours to organize and orchestrate the event.

In a news conference held Wednesday, October 18, at Joplin City Hall, Mike Seibert, City of Joplin Mayor, presented a 2017 Joplin Christmas Parade permit to Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer.

The theme of this year’s parade was also announced and the emblem unveiled. “Honoring Local Heroes” encourages entrants to honor the superheroes in their lives and decorate accordingly.

“There’s a hero in everyone’s life,” said Baker. “Perhaps it’s a family member who served in the military or someone who works with children. I’m excited to see our local heroes honored during this annual tradition.”

Funds generated by the 2017 Joplin Christmas Parade will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, which provides assistance to children from birth to 21 years of age in a 14-county area in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. All money raised stays local, helping children with medical needs and their families. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helps furnish and maintain Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, provides funding for local community organizations’ pediatric needs and provides pediatric emergency equipment for area agencies.

Freeman staff members have already started planning the parade. The parade will take place at 6:00 pm Tuesday, December 5. The parade route starts at 15th and Main Street and runs north to Third Street. For more information about placing an entry in the 2017 Joplin Christmas Parade call 417.347.3962 or email joplinchristmasparade@freemanhealth.com. To register online click here.

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2017, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. The Leapfrog Group awarded Freeman the highest grade possible in the Spring 2017 Hospital Patient Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 70 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.