This year’s activities began just a few months ago when we
invited local children’s organizations to apply to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Committee for funding. From those applicants the Committee elected to provide
funding to three very worthy groups: 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 after-school
program.
I announced at that time that I wanted our committee to reach
a goal of $45,000. From which we would provide $5000 to the operations of the
4-H and Youth Development program and the remaining funds to be divided equally
between the Douglas County Friends of Children in Foster Care Foundation an
organization that provides valuable life enrichment items that are normally not
available to children in foster care situations, and to the Health Care Access
Clinic which provides a healthcare safety net to children who have no other
healthcare provider. Ladies and gentlemen, we have met that goal.
It is noteworthy that we do not start with a budget from
which we provide money to charitable causes. Rather, we invite those chosen to
be a part of our committee and to share in our activities. Together as a team we
reach out into the community to inform everyone we can about the selected
organizations and asking the community to contribute and to be a part of the
special events sponsored by the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. We
are proud of the organizations we worked with this year and of their hard work
and contributions. I can only believe they found it a rewarding experience as
well.
After a number of enjoyable events, an auction, and a good
old-fashioned parade we are here to make presentations, which result from the
support we have received and from the efforts of our volunteers. We also thank
our friends and neighbors in the community for their good graces and
generosity, without which, none of this would be possible.
I now present the checks for $20,000 to Douglas County
Friends of Children in Foster Care Foundation, and $20,000 to the Health Care
Access Clinic, and $5000 to Douglas County/Kansas State Research and Extension
4-H and Youth Development program. Thank you all very much for the good works
you do in our community and for the enriching experience you have provided our
committee.
Roger L. Browning
Executive Chair for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of
Lawrence, KS
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