A few inches of snow couldn’t stop a mini Veiled Prophet parade from arriving at St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children Dec. 14. Princesses, kings, elves and jesters lifted spirits by marching through the hallways, sharing snacks and bringing gifts to young patients. “I enjoy giving back to the community and to people who aren’t as fortunate as us,” says Mia Brennan, a 16-year-old junior at Villa Duchesne dressed as a butterfly fairy. Plus, she adds, “I think it’s fun to play with the little kids.”
Volunteering is a Veiled Prophet tradition. Katherine Desloge, a sophomore at the University of Richmond and 2013 VP Queen, has family connections to the organization going back several generations. “I volunteered because I know it’s really important to my family,” she says. “My father and both grandfathers have used the VP to give back to the community. Through the organization, I’ve been able to do the same.” Desloge, who entertained the children at Shriners Hospital that day, also did volunteer landscape work at Rainbow Village and with Brightside St. Louis.
Dressed as Glenda the Good Witch, Desloge was one of 15 girls in handmade costumes who brought a taste of the parade to Shriners patients being treated for orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases. Escorted by firefighters, Santa Claus made a grand entrance atop a Frontenac fire engine. After embracing all the patients in a group hug, he led the parade march through the hospital’s first floor.
The patients enjoyed cookies and milk with the VP volunteers before Santa gave out presents specially selected based on each child’s interests. Kids gasped as they unwrapped Barbies, stuffed animals, harmonicas, hats and more. “It was nice to hear so many of the kids say, ‘That’s just what I wanted,’” says John McCadden, chairman of the Veiled Prophet Outreach Committee.
Serving St. Louis and spreading word about the Veiled Prophet’s annual July 4 parade were the dual goals of the event. According to McCadden, increasing awareness about the parade benefits everyone by elevating the profile of the city. “We’re trying to go out to promote St. Louis with a world-class parade on the Fourth of July,” he says. “We’d like to be as well-known as the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving.”
The event certainly generated interest among the young ladies who volunteered. “Afterward, every girl asked if she could get on the list to be in the parade this summer,” McCadden says. And it sparked their interest in more community service, too. “They were surprised how much fun it was, and asked, ‘Can we do it again next year?’”
Photo by Bill Barrett
Pictured: Mia Brennan
