The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee this week announced the beneficiaries of the 2017 parade season, with Douglas County CASA, Sunrise Project and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County chosen as the lucky few.

After spending the summer reaching out to local charities, the parade committee reviewed applications from 17 agencies, ultimately narrowing the list down to three after hearing presentations from five finalists earlier this month, according to a news release from parade spokeswoman Janet Cinelli.

Since its founding in 1988, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has annually chosen at least one local children’s charity as the beneficiary of the several events leading up to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held every year in downtown Lawrence on March 17.

“The committee was thrilled by the array of proposals we had this year,” Maren Ludwig, co-chairperson of this year’s committee. “We feel very excited about our choice of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sunrise Project and CASA, because all three are dedicated to fostering the growth of the children in our community; yet, each brings a different perspective to that goal.”

The 2017 parade season begins Sept. 17 with the Half Way to the Green Golf Tournament at Eagle Bend Golf Course. For more information on the parade and this season’s upcoming events, visit www.lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com.