St. Patrick’s events planned

The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence will be able to help more children after this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade charity auction.

“This is just great — what a difference it makes to have a community that is willing to support you,” club director Janet Murphy said.

Members of the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee formally announced Wednesday the Boys & Girls Club’s after-school program would be this year’s beneficiary of the Celebrity and Sports Auction, which will be Saturday at Liberty Hall, 642 Mass. Doors to the event open at 5:30 p.m. The silent auction will be at 6 p.m.; the live auction starts at 7 p.m.

Dozens of children caught an early glimpse at some of the items up for auction. Among the items will be footballs and basketballs from current and former college and professional athletes, such as the Kansas City Chiefs’ Tony Gonzalez, as well as jewelry, vacations and paintings.

The Boys and Girls Club works with youths ages 5 through 18. Youths receive assistance with schoolwork and participate in other activities.

“It gives them a place to go so,” said Phil Bradley, chairman of the Parade Committee. “The Committee wanted to help out the education process without getting into the politics.”

The committee has contributed more than $200,000 to youth programs in the past 15 years.

This year’s parade will be at 1 p.m. March 17 through the downtown area. The deadline for entering the parade is March 13. Entry fee for a family or noncommercial entry is $25 and for commercial businesses it is $75.

The St. Patrick’s queen coronation will be at 6 p.m. March 9 at the Flamingo Club, 501 N. Ninth St.

From left, Emily Torres, 14, Erica Demby, 11, Jamica Brouhard, 12, and Rachelle Moeding, 14, view a Jayhawk Tiffany-style lamp at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, 1520 Haskell Ave. The Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee announced Wednesday that proceeds from all the committee events this year will go to the Boys & Girls Club's after-school program.

For additional details about St. Patrick’s Committee activities, contact Bradley at 766-7492 or visit www.lawrence-stpats.freeservers.com.

Events schedule¢ 6 p.m. Saturday, Celebrity and Sports Auction, Liberty Hall, 642 Mass.¢ 8 p.m. Sunday, St. Patrick’s Pub Quiz, Kaspar’s Pub and Grill, 3115 W. Sixth St.¢ 7 a.m. March 8 registration, Shamrock Shuffle, Johnny’s Tavern, 401 N. Second St.¢ 6 p.m. March 9, queen coronation, Flamingo Club, 501 N. Ninth St.¢ 1 p.m. March 17, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, downtown and South Park.