April 15, 2009
 
 
Only a few months ago, our work began when the Committee invited local charities to apply to the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade for funding.
In its 22nd year the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Lawrence continues to build on its traditions by focusing on local charities and on the young people of our community. This year the Committee elected to provide support for four organizations. The organizations we are funding this year are the Boys and Girls Club of New York Elementary School, Lawrence Parents as Teachers, GaDuGi Safe Center, and the LHS-Positive Support Team. These organizations reach out to so many of our community’s children and they deserve our support and appreciation.
We are impressed by the number of people in our community who came out in beautiful weather to watch and to participate in the 2009 Parade. For that, we thank everyone. We also thank everyone in the community for their support and generosity toward the Committee’s efforts to raise money for our chosen charities.
 
The Committee is an all volunteer organization and does not start with a known budget from which we provide money to charitable causes. Rather, we invite those chosen to become partners with our committee and to share in our activities. Together as a team we reach out into the community informing everyone we can about those selected. Our intention is to make the community more aware of these organizations we support and that that awareness will continue furnishing support beyond the monies we provide them.
It must be said again that it is only the generous contributions and participation by individuals and businesses in our community who join us which make good things happen. St Patrick’s Day Parade fundraising events included our Annual Charity Benefit Auction, the 5K Shamrock Shuffle, T-shirt sales, Trivia Night, Dart Tourney, and a Motorcycle Run. We are here now to put that money to good use.
 
These organizations deserve special thanks for what they do for our community and for the enriching experience they have provided our committee. We are proud of these organizations and appreciate their hard work and their contributions.
 
Our fundraising activities conclude this year with checks being presented to the Boys and Girls Club of New York Elementary School with a check for  $20,750, Lawrence Parents as Teachers with a check for  $20,750, GaDuGi Safe Center with a check for  $5,500, and the LHS-Positive Support Team with a additional check for  $500 bringing their total to $1,000 on the year. We ask everyone to continue to keep these two organizations in mind for the future because; they deserve your ongoing support!
 
With the $47,500.00 being provided this year that brings the total given back to the community by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to more than a Half-Million Dollars to date and we are now looking forward to another grand season next year next year.
Sincerely,
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Lawrence, KS