The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is now in its 19^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 $335,000.00 to local children’s charities. We have done this by hosting special fundraising events such as our annual auctions and 5K fun runs, as well as through T-shirt sales and ever important contributions by individuals and businesses. Now, to begin anew, we are here today for the kick-off of our 2006 fundraising campaign. We do so with a continued commitment to the enrichment of our local community; the success of which depends on the participation and cooperation of our friends and neighbors.

This year’s activities began a little more than month ago when we invited charitable groups to apply to the Committee for funding. We received many worthy applications this year, making our job difficult. After deliberations we came to a consensus. The Committee has elected to provide funding to three charities: the Douglas County Friends of Children in Foster Care Foundation, the Health Care Access Clinic, and Douglas County/Kansas State Research and Extension 4-H and Youth Development. To do this I would like for our organization to meet a goal this year of $45,000. From which we would provide a $5000 fixed grant to the operations of the 4-H and Youth Development after-school program. The remaining funds would be divided equally between the Douglas County Friends of Children in Foster Care Foundation to provide valuable life enrichment items that are normally not available to children in foster care situations, and to the Health Care Access Clinic to help provide a healthcare safety net to children who have no other form of healthcare provider.

These organizations represent the great generosity and outreach of our community. By funding these three programs our aim is to touch the lives of our children in a positive and memorable way. We ask everyone in the community to join with us in helping these organizations provide the necessities and opportunities our young people deserve.

As always, we wish to thank the many members of our community for their continuing support, for their contributions, donations, and participation throughout the years. The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is a not-for-profit organization that believes through fun and hard work we can make our community an even better place.

In the coming months, we ask everyone to please, contribute and be a part of the special events that will be sponsored by the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. We are looking forward to having everyone at the Celebrity Sports Auction Saturday, March 4th, the 5K Shamrock Shuffle on Saturday, March 11^th, and to show off their wee bit of Irish at the Parade on Friday, March 17^th 2006.

 

Roger L. Browning

Executive 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.

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