The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is now in its 18^th year of serving our community. As many of you have come to know, we are much more than a one day event. In addition to the fun, good old-fashioned parades the Committee has provided more than $290,000.00 to local children’s charities. We have done this by hosting special fundraising events, fun runs, T-shirt sales, and most important through contributions. As we kick-off of our 2005 fundraising campaign, our belief is that charity begins at home with a commitment to the enrichment of our community. However, without the help of our friends and neighbors our success will not be possible.

We began this year’s activities in early November with our focus on choosing which of the many worthy charitable groups that applied to the Committee for funding would be its recipient. We received more applications this year than in any year past, making our job even more difficult. After much deliberation we did come to a consensus. This year the Committee has embarked upon a new challenge by choosing to provide funding to two charities rather than only one, as we have done in the past. That means that everyone in the committee will step up to work even harder. With that said, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is honored to announce that the proceeds from this year’s fundraising efforts will go to The Shelter and to the Lawrence Youth Football program.

We feel these two organizations represent a part of what is great about our community—by helping children in crisis with shelter and intervention and by providing a vigorous athletic program to channel young energies. Their commitment and dedication to their programs should serve as an inspiration to others.

Both of these worthy groups are at a time of urgent need. They must replace aging furniture and equipment that are financially beyond the reach of their normal budgetary means. By funding these two groups our goal is to touch the lives of as many of our children as possible in a positive and enduring way. We are asking everyone in the community to join with us in helping these organizations provide the opportunities our young people deserve.

We wish to thank the many members of our community for their continuing generosity, for their contributions, donations, and participation throughout the years. The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is a non-profit organization that believes we can make our community an even better place through fun and hard work.

In the coming months, we ask everyone to please, take the time to be a part of the special events that are being sponsored by the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. We are looking forward to having everyone come out to the Celebrity Sports Auction Saturday, March 5th, the 5K Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday, March 14^th, and to celebrate the wee bit of Irish in everyone at the coming of springtime with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday, March 17^th 2005.

Roger Browning—Exec. Chair of The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee

For information please call 749-6677,

email: info@lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com,

or visit our website at http://www.lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com.

 

2005 Charity Applications Press Release (.pdf)

Charitable Application Guidelines (.pdf)

Charitable Recipient Application (.pdf)