Annie Malone's May Day Parade Celebrates 124 Years of Service

Annie Malone’s May Day Parade Celebrates 124 Years of Service

- Grand Marshals Show Commitment and Support -

            Annie Malone Children’s Home celebrated 124 years of service at its annual May Day Parade. Despite the mergers and closings of many ethnic orphanages in the 1950's, Annie Malone continued to serve as a refuge for children. In the 1980's, it opened a Boys Group Home serving boys 14 years of age and older and The Family Crisis Center, providing crisis nursery and respite care services for children at risk of abuse and neglect. Its supporters continued to grow.

            Michael McMillan, License Collector of the City of St. Louis and Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation, has been an ongoing committed supporter of the children’s initiatives lead by the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center. This year McMillan was among an impressive line-up of committed community leaders: Ron Himes, Founder & Producing Director of The Black Rep; Chingy, native St. Louisan and national Hip Hop Celebrity; and Marvin Neals, Basketball Coach at Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School. The Honorary May Day Chairs were Vickie Newton, Anchor on KMOV-TV; and Hubert Hoosman, President & CEO of Vantage Credit Union.

            As for McMillan, like so many others, this parade and Annie Malone continue to be a reliable source you can count on to serve our children. “Once you are involved with Annie Malone, regardless of the level, you enthusiastically have a stake in its mission, says McMillan, “I will always be inspired by the marching bands and happy faces of the children and the community who share the memories and the dreams. Annie Malone brings us together year after year. It was my honor to serve as one of the Grand Marshals this year.”

             The mission of Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center is to improve the quality of life for children, families, elderly and the community by providing social services, educational programs, advocacy and entrepreneurship. McMillan public service for over 25 years is in line in with the mission of Annie Malone he any position he has held as a volunteer, community leader, non-profit organizational head and government official.