3 charities chosen for St. Patrick’s funds

For the first time in its 19-year history, the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee picked three charities for its annual fundraising drive.

The charities are:

¢ Douglas County Friends of Children in Foster Care Foundation.

¢ Health Care Access Clinic.

¢ Douglas County/K-State Research and Extension 4-H and Youth Development.

Roger Browning, executive chairman of the parade committee, said participants hoped to raise $45,000 this year. Last year the committee raised $45,000 for two local charities.

“We’re excited,” said Bobby Kearney, president of the Foster Care Foundation. “We’ve applied three or four other times and we are willing to help in any way possible.”

There will be several fundraising events leading up to the parade in March.