We always hear about the luck of the Irish, but pulling off all the events related to Tuesday’s Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes a lot more than luck.

The annual parade is the fun finale to a series of fundraising events that started with a charity golf tournament last September and will conclude with the Luck-of-the-Irish Motorcycle Poker run on Saturday. Having a good time is part of the goal, but helping others is a major aspect of the St. Patrick’s Day events.

In the 27 years since it was formed, the parade committee has raised more than $750,000 for local children’s charities. This year’s beneficiaries will be Douglas County Toys for Tots, Just Food and Centro Hispano, a group that serves the local Latino community.

You don’t have to be Irish to appreciate the hard work that goes into the local St. Patrick’s Day effort. The Lawrence community is lucky to have such a dedicated and generous group.