The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee on Tuesday promised to double its efforts and selected two organizations to be the recipients of its annual fund raising.

Benefiting from the parade will be The Shelter Inc., and Lawrence Youth Football Inc.

“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,” said Roger Browning, committee executive chairman. “That means that everyone in the committee will step up to work even harder.”

The committee’s announcement came during a news conference at Union Depot and Lawrence Visitor’s Center. Among those attending were Shelter director Judy Culley and LYF President Bret Toelkes.

“We are thrilled,” Culley said.

The Shelter provides a variety of assistance for children in state custody, including two emergency shelters. Some of the money it receives from the committee will go toward new furniture in those shelters, Culley said.

“It definitely needs an upgrade,” she said.

Toelkes was equally pleased. He said the money would help power scoreboards on fields the program uses at the Youth Sports Inc. complex off 27th Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway. It also will be used to enhance the program’s cheerleading squads.

“Cheerleading has become a sport in high schools, now,” Toelkes said.

LYF provides a competitive football program for youngsters in second through seventh grades.

6News video: St. Patrick’s Day Parade to benefit two charities

The St. Patrick’s committee is in its 18th year providing funds to area charitable organizations. As its events have grown so have the number of applications it has received from organizations seeking funding. This year the committee received 31 applications, more than any previous year, Browning said. That made the committee’s selection process harder and led to choosing two organizations, he said.

“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,” Browning said.

In 2004 the committee raised $50,000 for Crown Casting Club. In 2003 it raised $38,000 for the Lawrence Boys and Girls Clubs.

Next year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be on March 17, a Thursday. The popular Celebrity and Sports Auction will be March 5. The 5K Shamrock Shuffle will be March 12. The St. Patrick’s Queen coronation will be March 13.

Details about the events along with deadlines for signing up can be found at www.lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com. You also can call 749-6677 or e-mail info@lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com.