Sandy victims get lift in Macy's parade

Reagon Long, 3, from Oxford, N.Y, background center, watches the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo: Tina Fineberg, Associated Press

The Buzz Lightyear balloon makes his way down Sixth avenue in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo: Louis Lanzano, Associated Press

The Spongebob Squarepants balloon makes its way down Sixth Avenue during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Photo: Andrew Kelly, Getty Images

Singer/actress Rachel Crow attends the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images

Dressed as a snowflake, Kae Burke, poses for a photograph as she makes her way through New York's Columbus Circle during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo: Tina Fineberg, Associated Press

The KAWS "Companion" balloon is seen during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images

The Charlie Brown balloon makes its way down Central Park West during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade November 22, 2012 in New York City. Macy's donated tickets and transportation to this year's Thanksgiving Day Parade to 5,000 people from neighborhoods hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy. Photo: Andrew Kelly, Getty Images

The Sailor Mickey balloon floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Photo: Charles Sykes, Associated Press

(Left to right): U.S. Olympic gymnasts Kyla Ross, Jordyn Wieber, Alexandra Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney attend the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images

Atmosphere at the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Laura Cavanaugh, Getty Images

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd at Herald Square during the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,Thursday, Nov 22, 2012, in New York. Photo: Louis Lanzano, Associated Press

Jimmy Fallon attends the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Laura Cavanaugh, Getty Images

The Spiderman balloon makes its way down Sixth Avenue during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York.
Photo: Andrew Kelly, Getty Images

Members of the Oak Ridge High School Marching Band walk under a Mickey Mouse balloon as they make their way to the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in New York. Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees make their way through New York's Columbus Circle during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday Nov. 22, 2012, in New York.
Photo: Tina Fineberg, Associated Press

Musician Trace Adkins attends the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images

The Hello Kitty balloon is seen during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images

Musician Don McLean attends the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images

Kareem Abdul Jabbar 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Laura Cavanaugh, Getty Images

The Pikachu Pokemon balloons are seen during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images

People watch as balloons make their way through the streets of Manhattan during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City.
Photo: Andrew Kelly, Getty Images

The Pillsbury Doughboy balloon makes his way through Herald Square in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,Thursday, Nov 22, 2012, in New York.
Photo: Louis Lanzano, Associated Press

Jennette McCurdy rides a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Photo: Charles Sykes, Associated Press

The Elf on the Shelf balloon floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012.
Photo: Charles Sykes, Associated Press

Mannheim Steamroller Rocks Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the  third Straight Year at the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City. Photo: Paul Zimmerman, Getty Images

The Harold the Fireman balloon makes its way through Columbus Circle during the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City.
Photo: Andrew Kelly, Getty Images

Santa Claus makes his way through Herald Square in the 86th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,Thursday, Nov 22, 2012, in New York. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off in New York on Thursday, putting a festive mood in the air in a city still coping with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Photo: Louis Lanzano, Associated Press