HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE HONORS
FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN AND PARADE FOUNDERS AS GRAND MARSHALS

Glendale, Ariz. – Captain Anthony Valverde, a paramedic and an 18-year veteran of the Glendale Fire Department, has been named the Grand Marshal of the 9th Annual Hometown Christmas Parade and Food Drive, which culminates with the parade on Saturday, December 10th at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Glendale, Arizona. In addition, Don Mellon and Dr. Walt Kallestad, who co-founded the parade with Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers in 2012, will be the Honorary Grand Marshals.

ABOUT THE GRAND MARSHAL

Captain Valverde has been married to his beautiful wife Micaela for 16 years, and they have three wonderful children. On Mother’s Day of this year, Captain Valverde was with his family at Lake Pleasant when they came upon a family in a small boat that was capsizing. One of the elderly family members was unconscious in the water and tangled in the rope. The Valverde family immediately began rendering aid. They relieved the family member trying to hold the woman above water by cutting the rope and then holding the woman until Peoria’s Fire Department Boat arrived. Once the woman was being treated, they helped the family into their boat and brought them safely to shore.

ABOUT THE HONORARY GRAND MARSHALS

Don Mellon moved to Arizona in 1974. In 1980, he opened his first McDonald’s franchise. He has received numerous awards, including Business of the Year award in 2007, Phoenix Business Journal – Small Business of the Year award in 2008, and was named a Luke Air Force Base Honorary Commander in 2010. After opening and operating 21 McDonald’s restaurants across the Valley, Don retired in 2020. He said all the McDonald’s he owned belonged to God. What he thought was a part-time, dead-end job 50 years ago, became a passion where God was glorified.

Dr. Walt Kallestad grew up living in a Pastor’s home. Following his graduation from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, he served as an ordained Lutheran Pastor at Community Church of Joy (now Dream City Church) for 38 years. He came to Community Church of Joy in Glendale with a clarion call and passion to build a church for people who didn’t go to church. He continues to seek out marketplace leaders and servants who desperately need the Lord. Walt is also involved in mentoring pastors and business leaders, as well as running a gas and oil company supplying gasoline and diesel to Mexico.

ABOUT THE PARADE

Everyone is invited to the 9th Annual Hometown Christmas Parade in downtown Glendale on Saturday, December 10 to enjoy the family-friendly festivities that will take place between 52nd Avenue and 58th Avenue. Spectators of all ages are encouraged to find their spot before the parade starts at 11:00 a.m. and enjoy entries highlighting local schools, service organizations, and businesses. The parade has become a tradition, and the committee that makes this event happen every year takes great pride in it. The all-volunteer group consists of representatives from nonprofits, faith-based organizations, businesses, individuals, and the City of Glendale. Although the parade is held in Glendale, the event has participants and sponsors from across the Valley that are all focused on one thing: celebrating the reason for the season.

ABOUT THE FOOD DRIVE

It’s all for a great cause! Last year, organizers of the Hometown Christmas Parade donated $30,000 to Hope for Hunger Food Bank (https://phoenixrescuemission.org/hope-for-hunger) in Glendale. Currently, Hope for Hunger Food Bank provides emergency food along with case management and job assistance to more than 300 families every day. The goal of the parade is for an even larger donation this year, so spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to the parade or make a cash donation online at www.hcparade.org/food-drive.