Santa cruises through Broomfield for his special FRIENDS at the rota…

This week in the southwest corner of Broomfield, a typically quiet street was briefly transformed into a Christmas wonderland with the help of the community.

Every year, the Broomfield Crossing Rotary Foundation gathers members, residents, a few police cars and a firetruck to put on a holiday parade. The parade isn’t large or hugely advertised, because it was created for a single group of people, the local nonprofit FRIENDS of Broomfield.

FRIENDS of Broomfield is a group that offers support to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The rotary began the holiday parade during the pandemic, so when the close quarters of its annual Santa visits created COVID health risks, they took the holiday cheer to the streets.

“We came up with the idea of doing a parade instead, and it’s kind of stuck,” Gary McKee, a rotary member, said. “Now that it’s safe to go back in the building, we do the parade and then Santa and Mrs. Claus go into the building and hand out gifts.”

Now the parade, only about a mile-long loop, has become a staple for FRIENDS of Broomfield and the people they serve. Santa usually cruises through on a motorcycle, but Friday was a bit too chilly, so he and Mrs. Claus rode in the back of a truck.

“The ‘Friends’ love the holidays and love the parade and visit with Santa,” Gina Coufal, the founder and CEO of FRIENDS said. “They get excited, some love the fire truck and police cars, and some are astonished that Santa can ride a motorcycle! They also enjoy it when staff gets involved and gets dressed up.”

FRIENDS of Broomfield has been around for 25 years.

“FRIENDS was started by Broomfield families, but is guided by the needs, wants and dreams of the people we serve,” Coufal said. “(Our programs) are developed with participants at the center, with the goal to provide opportunities we all are afforded, to live full and meaningful lives.”

FRIENDS has worked with the rotary for 15 years, and is just one of many examples of the Broomfield community supporting the work of the dedicated staff and volunteers at FRIENDS.

“Our families, friends and neighbors show up to offer their support for a population that is often invisible, this holiday parade with the rotary and Santa is just one example,” Coufal said. “It allows us to do this important work and we are incredibly grateful.”