First Federal Lakewood's Tom Fraser Named Parade Grand Marshal

Lakewood Native, Community Leader to be Honored December 2

As President & CEO of First Federal Lakewood, Thomas J. Fraser has made a career out of serving as a leader within our community. Now he’s poised to lead the parade at the center of Lakewood’s longtime holiday tradition.

LakewoodAlive announces that Fraser has been selected to serve as Grand Marshal for the holiday parade taking place during Light Up Lakewood 2017 on Saturday, December 2, in Downtown Lakewood. Fraser will be accompanied during the parade by W. Charles (Chas) Geiger III, board chair of First Federal Lakewood.

Presented by LakewoodAlive, Light Up Lakewood represents one of Northeast Ohio’s largest holiday celebrations, drawing 20,000 attendees each December. First Federal Lakewood serves as Title Sponsor and also sponsors both the fireworks show and pedicab availability for this festive community event.

Fraser assumed the lead role at First Federal Lakewood in 2013 and has nearly 25 years of banking experience. A native of Lakewood, he has been active in the community throughout his career, currently serving on the board of directors for several local organizations, including LakewoodAlive and Youth Challenge, as well as a number of state and national mutual and community bank advisory councils. Previously Fraser served on the board for the Barton Senior Center, North Coast Health and the Beck Center for the Arts.

Under Fraser’s guidance, First Federal Lakewood – the largest independent mutual bank headquartered in Ohio – has continued its long-held tradition of charitable giving and community involvement. Last year First Federal Lakewood committed up to $842,000 to help pay for new recreational facilities for the Lakewood school district and community. First Federal Lakewood also generously supports LakewoodAlive’s Housing Outreach Program and more than 150 other community-based organizations and events.

“We’re honored to have such a tremendous community leader like Tom serve as Grand Marshal for Light Up Lakewood’s holiday parade,” said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. “It’s a privilege to have First Federal Lakewood serve as title sponsor for Light Up Lakewood 2017, and we really appreciate the many impactful contributions that Tom and his team have made to our city. First Federal Lakewood has been an invaluable partner, not only to LakewoodAlive, but to the entire Lakewood community.”

The 2017 holiday parade will step off from Manor Park Avenue at 5 p.m. on December 2 and proceed west on Detroit Avenue, ending in front of the Lakewood Public Library. Now entering its 11th consecutive year within the city’s downtown district, Light Up Lakewood represents a free, family-friend event that also features a lighting ceremony, winter fireworks, live music, ice carvings, hot chocolate, food trucks, children’s games and much more.

For more information regarding Light Up Lakewood 2017, please visit LakewoodAlive.org/LightUpLakewood.

Light Up Lakewood is generously supported by the following sponsors:

Title, Fireworks & Pedicab Sponsor
First Federal Lakewood

Snowflake Sponsor
City of Lakewood

Lighting Sponsor
Lakewood City Center

Sparkle Sponsors
Convey360 | Cleveland Clinic Lakewood | Lakewood Anglican Church | Roundstone Insurance

Photo Booth Sponsor
Eric Lowrey, Berkshire Hathaway/Lucien Realty

King and Queen Scholarship Sponsor
Plantation Home

Jingle Sponsors
Lakewood Catholic Academy | Ohio Savings Bank | Plantation Home | The University of Akron, School of Social Work, Lakewood Campus

Twinkle Sponsors
Beck Center for the Arts | Cox Communications | Dewey's Pizza | Dollar Bank