Chamber Names Volunteers of the Year

The following is a press release from the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

If you’re searching for a definition of “labor of love,” look no further than Todd Marcocci and Amy Walp, of Under the Sun Productions and the MARS Drinks Old Fashioned Christmas Parade. Todd and Amy began volunteering in 2005 to make the annual parade a must-see event in downtown West Chester as a way to give back to the community.

First, they focused on the Christmas tree. Then, it was new floats, including a breathtaking ride for Santa. In 2006, Under the Sun Productions began producing the parade itself all on a volunteer basis. Since then, attendance at the parade has grown from about 5,000 spectators to over 20,000. In 2009, USA Today listed the parade as one of the Top 10 Holiday events in the nation.

For their ongoing efforts on behalf of West Chester and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, Todd and Amy will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award for 2012. The award will be presented at a luncheon on Oct. 16, 2012 at Penn Oaks Golf Club.

In nominating the pair, Chamber Board member Mel Josephs highlighted their year-round volunteer commitment of time and talent to the event and the community.

“What it takes to assemble an exciting and diverse representation of our community with a focus on audience reaction is extensive, year after year including the pre-planning, the organizing and the set-up,” she said. “They do this not only as a labor of love for parades but for the love of this community.”

“Under the Sun utilizes its own supplies and assembles an experienced team to operate/direct the parade itself,” Josephs continued. “Their contact with 6 ABC and the ABC celebrities is amazing. Todd and Amy have really put this event in the spotlight.” 

Marcocci, president of Under the Sun, is a native of Dudley, PA. He made West Chester his home after graduating from West Chester University in 1987. In 1998, he founded Under the Sun Productions, Inc. a full-service production company serving the special events, marching band, and color guard industries.

Walp, a native of Dallas, PA, also came to WCU and never left. After working in an environmental science lab for several years and spending all her vacation days helping Todd with events, she came to work for Under the Sun in 1999 and is now its parade associate producer/project manager.

Since it was established, Under the Sun has produced, co-produced or has assisted in coordinating various aspects of events near and far including the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, National Cherry Blossom Parade, National Memorial Day Parade, National Independence Day Parade, Magnificent Mile Light’s Festival, Philadelphia’s Independence Day Parade, Hershey Centennial Parade, National Boy Scouts Centennial Parade, Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, Welcome America, Penn’s Landing New Year Fireworks, Disney Christmas Parade, Marian Anderson Award procession, Ridge and Rendell Gubernatorial Parades, and the Phillies’ World Champion-World Series Parade. Todd also served as segment producer for the Nicholas Cage Film “Lord of War” and also a Snapple commercial with famed director Spike Lee. Todd’s expertise in the marching band and color guard industry has been on display around the world in over 800 choreographed performances. 

Winning the award from the Chamber came as a complete surprise to Amy and Todd.

"It has always been our intent to give back to the community with a huge gift of entertainment and excitement,” Marcocci said.  "Each year, as we have witnessed the attendance grow, it certainly has been gratifying knowing our gift is unwrapped before so many eyes."

“Giving back to our community was the driving force in assisting with the parade and tree lighting,” Walp said. “I consider it our gift to the town in which we live and work. It means so much to see people stop and take their picture by the tree or to see the endless rows of smiles on the kids’ faces at the parade each year.”