"Be a Hero" foster care float a hit in Coast Guard Festival Grand Parade

The Grand Rapids foster care team appeared in their second parade of the year Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, with their float, "Be a Hero. Become a Foster Parent.” In May, they were in the Muziekparade for Tulip Time in Holland. This time they were in Grand Haven honoring the U.S. Coast Guard in the Coast Guard Festival Grand Parade. Gone was the Dutch theme of a wooden shoe and tulips; now it was toy sail boats and a sand castle at the beach. The nautical theme felt appropriate for the wet weather.

For several hours, rain soaked the Lutheran Social Services staff, spouses and children as they huddled under umbrellas. Just before it was time for the LSSM float to begin moving, the rain miraculously let up. Foster care licensing worker Tracy Piaseki drove the tow vehicle, her family SUV. Along the hour-long parade route, people clapped and cheered for Lutheran Social Services and the foster care "Be a Hero" theme. One spectator called out, "Thanks for coming!" It made the team feel very welcome.

Photos from the parade are posted on Facebook on the “Lutheran Social Services of Michigan – West Michigan” page: http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=324819&id=92824750846&success=4&failure=0#!/media/set/?set=a.10150257445825847.324819.92824750846