The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee will collect funds this year to benefit five Lawrence organizations.
The charitable parade’s committee has announced the recipients as Women’s Transitional Care Services, Douglas County CASA, Family Promise of Lawrence, VanGo Mobile Arts and the Lawrence Humane Society.
In 23 years, the parade committee has raised more than $527,000 for local charities. Several fundraising events will take place between now and the parade on March 17, 2010. The parade’s Web site has a schedule of the fundraising events.
This year’s recipients plans to use the funding in a variety of ways.
• Women’s Transitional Care Services aids victims of domestic violence, and the funding will provide more beds as well as additional services for children who are not at the organization’s shelter.
• Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates is moving into a new office space, and it needs the funding to help make it ADA-compliant and to acquire child-friendly furnishings.
• Family Promise of Lawrence, which aids homeless families, needs money to refurbish and furnish its day center.
• VanGo Mobile Arts, which works with at-risk students to provide academic support, job skills and responsibility is seeking funds to continue its mission.
• The Lawrence Humane Society aims to support its third-grade educational outreach program.
Comments
oliveoyl 7 years, 11 months ago
I hate to sound insensitive but Van Gogh?!? Please. They have so much support in this town. They have nice new updated Mac's, nice flat screen tv's and an awesome lovely new building. I love this organization but there are plenty of other non-profits in town that could use this money.
It seems obvious that its not about the cause but who you know.
ilovelucy 7 years, 11 months ago
Van Gogh is now serving many at risk children in collaboration with the school district and other non profits. I believe that they serve around 500 children per year. They have also worked hard for what they have. If you're going to be negative, Olive, then I suggest that you volunteer or work at a non profit and maybe you'll understand just how difficult it is to find the monies and resources to serve the community. Better yet, why not get involved on the parade committee? Maybe then you can understand that it IS ABOUT THE CAUSE and not who you know. This committee has given over $500k to local charities over the last 22 years and they are strictly volunteer. They work their butts off because they believe in what they do. They don't spend time on petty remarks but on helping others. Why don't you think about it?
flyin_squirrel 7 years, 11 months ago
Darn, I was hoping the Human Fund would get selected...
ScottyMac 7 years, 11 months ago
Olive:
The next time you get an itch to write something that might "sound insensitive" (which we know you hate to do), you might try using the following fill-in-the-blank form as your guide:
"Congratulations to this year's parade beneficiaries! Each of these fine organizations works hard to make Lawrence a better place for our children. I know that the parade volunteers will work hard all winter long to do what they can to help you fulfill your mission. I know I'm looking forward to attending all of the fundraising events.
I know that selecting the charities each year is a difficult process. There are so many worthy organizations! Next year I hope the parade volunteers consider (your favorite charity here_). They do such great work and are often overlooked.
Congratulations again to this year's beneficiaries, and thanks to the parade volunteers for their hard work! See you at the parade! Erin go bragh!"
Feel free to use it next year.
ScottyMac 7 years, 11 months ago
I'm curious to know, by the way, why the caption under the photo refers to the beneficiaries as "local businesses" and "companies"? The beneficiaries are local not-for-profit charities, not businesses.
Bradley Kemp 7 years, 11 months ago
A not-for-profit is a kind of business.
oliveoyl 7 years, 11 months ago
Scotty Mac, you're right. I could've been more positive about the way I said things. I do sincerely think VanGogh is a wonderful organization but there are many non-profits out there that could've used that money more at this time...at this time. That said, it's up to the non-profits to push for what they want and maybe those agencies didn't "sell" it. Point taken.
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