Aspire of WNY was proud to present a beautifully crafted candy cane themed float in the Jamestown Holiday Parade on December 5th. While the float itself dazzled the crowd, it was the behind-the-scenes hard work of one dedicated employee that truly made the night unforgettable.
Reflecting on recent years of participation in the parade, where the group typically rolled through in a van, Matt Zanghi, Maintenance Supervisor at Aspire of WNY, envisioned a float that could make the experience even more exciting. With a background in construction and determination to bring his vision to life, he volunteered to take on the project himself to help spread holiday cheer to the individuals supported by our agency.
Learning that the parade’s theme was Gingerbread/Candy Land, he drew inspiration from candy cane-themed floats he found online. Over Thanksgiving weekend, he designed and built a float onto a 10-foot trailer entirely on his own. He dedicated 26 hours to constructing the frame, painting the agency logo by hand, and assembling decorations in his garage. He even drove to Warren, Pennsylvania, to purchase a generator to power the lights.
Despite the cold weather and limited time, he remained focused and creative, often working late into the evenings. His resourcefulness extended to the budget of the project as well. “I always try to do as much as I can with what we have,” Matt shares.
Riding on the float were individuals supported by our agency, making spirits bright with every toss of candy into the crowd. “They all had huge bags of candy, and by the first quarter of the parade, they had already handed out everything. They absolutely loved it,” Matt said. Parade participants like Todd, Jeremy, Devin, and Nick were thrilled to join the festivities. For Jeremy, it was his first Holiday parade experience, while Todd—dubbed “Mr. Christmas”—personified the Holiday spirit.
Matt described the event as fun and rewarding, emphasizing how the float made the parade “a little different than normal.” He believes that going the extra mile can oftentimes be essential for making sure everyone feels welcomed, noting that the addition of the float allowed for more people to join in on the fun this year. “Sometimes, it’s taking that extra step that makes all the difference. It’s important to make somebody feel included, and it doesn’t take much,” he shares.
Looking ahead, he’s already brainstorming ideas for future floats. He hopes to involve even more people, possibly introducing a larger trailer next year. “We could even fit three times as many people,” Matt said, envisioning a more elaborate design—perhaps inspired by the iconic Winnebago RV from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
His dedication to his work and the people supported by Aspire of WNY is evident in both his craftsmanship, and his commitment to always going the extra mile. “It can sometimes be easy to be set in your ways of doing your job and going home, but when you go above and beyond to make someone’s day, it makes your day too,” he says.
From all of us at Aspire of WNY, thank you Matt! We appreciate you and all that you do for our agency and the individuals that we support!
