NEW YORK, NY & ASBURY PARK, NJ – November 4, 2024 – Big Sister Kelly & Little Sister Michaeyla from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey (BBBSCNNJ), have been selected to perform in the 98^th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on Thursday, November 28. In celebration of a multi-year partnership, Kelly and Michaeyla will join the Macy’s Parade to the call of “Let’s Have a Parade,” the iconic phrase that has signaled the start of every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1924.

“I’m so glad that I get to do this with YOU, we are going to have so much fun,” Michaeyla said to Kelly as soon as they found out they were going to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®.

As BBBS makes a return appearance in this year’s march, members from BBBSCNNJ will perform on Macy’s Winter Wonderland in Central Park float. To participate, Macy’s invited 20 Bigs and Littles – selected from an extensive talent search – to join Macy’s colleagues and TBC Talent as they take center stage and travel through New York City on Thanksgiving morning to spread joy and cheer to live spectators and viewers nationwide. 

In addition to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, from November 1 through December 24, Macy’s will host a special in-store round up and online donation campaign to benefit BBBS’ mission of empowering young people through the power of mentorship to build paths for future success. Since 2022, Macy’s has raised nearly $10 million to support BBBS’ mission to empower youth and realize their full potential by providing impactful programming and life-changing mentorship opportunities.

The in-store round up and online donation campaign also features a BBBSCNNJ Big & Little match, Little Sister Zariyah and Big Sister Carin Hep, both from Monmouth County as well. Zariyah and Carin participated in a professional photoshoot and media day with Macy’s and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, getting full glam and styling from the team at Macy’s. Photos and videos of this match will be displayed in stores across the country and online. Learn more about the Macy’s Mission Every One campaign here: https://www.macys.com/s/purpose/.

Since 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade features Macy’s signature giant character balloons, fabulous floats, incredible marching bands, celebrities, clowns, dance, and performance groups, and the one and only Santa Claus, spreading holiday cheer. For more information on the Macy’s Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade.