NEIGHBORS: She leads the parade when it comes to serviceby JEFF FRANK - Staff writer/ Monday, December 8, 2008ESCONDIDO ---- Getting Natali Galt to volunteer to help her community isn't exactly like pulling teeth, even though her most recent service activity began in a dentist's chair.
While
Dr. Randy Jungman (Escondido dentist) worked on Galt's bright smile this summer, he regaled her with stories of his involvement with the
Escondido Jaycees and the recent struggles of the club to attract enough young adults to keep its programs going, most notably the annual Christmas parade.
His timing was good. Galt, 31, already an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Escondido, was thinking about joining another civic organization, but wasn't sure which one.
"The Jaycees fell into my lap. He got me when I was in the chair," said Galt, who works as an instructional assistant at Skyline Elementary School in Solana Beach. "The first meeting I was at, I thought, 'I totally can be involved.'"
Galt got really involved at her second meeting, raising her hand when a chairman was sought for the on-again, off-again parade, which will roll down Broadway in his 57th incarnation Saturday morning.
Galt said that with Jennifer Kuehl as co-chairwoman and the "Three Wise Men," parade planning veterans Jungman, Wally Gutierrez and Larry Michel, providing wisdom and guidance, organizing the "Fairy Tale Christmas" procession has been a pleasure.

Natali and Jennifer
"I had my mind made up before the meeting" that she wanted to be chairwoman, said Galt. "We're having fun. We're having a blast. I told Wally, 'You can definitely count on us for next year. I've been officially bitten by the Christmas parade bug.'"
FULL ARTICLE HERE
Dr. Jungman's assistant, Jennifer Kuehl, joined the Jaycess in August 2008. She has put in countless hours of community service dedicated to the
Escondido Christmas Parade. Some of her duties include organizing the parade entries and line up, writing the announcer's script, and officiating the awards ceremony at
Grape Day Park. She got her inspiration from Dr. Jungman, who has been an active part of the Jaycees Christmas parade for over 20 years.
The Escondido Jaycees are happy to announce that the 57th Annual Escondido Christmas Parade will be held tomorrow, December 13, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. The parade is the longest running community event since 1951. Due to a generous donation of $15,000 by the Rincon Indian tribe, the event will be held along its traditional route along Broadway, from Escondido High School to Grape Day Park. We hope to see you there!