The list is out. And it is longer than it has ever been.
Emporia’s St. Patrick’s Committee has announced a record 24 participants to benefit from this year’s fundraising efforts. Spokesperson Barb Ternes-Lowery says it was a tough decision after over 30 groups applied.
Receiving funds later this year will be:
*All Veterans Memorial
*Beacon for Hope Suicide Prevention
*Becoming A Mom
*Buffy Animal Welfare Group
*Camp Alexander
*Cradle to Career Literacy Center
*CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness
*Emporia Public Library
*Loving Hands Ministry
*Lyon County Historical Society
*National Teachers Hall of Fame
*Neosho Valley Shrine
*North Lyon County Veterans Memorial
*North Lyon County Youth Association
*Read to Your Bunny
*Resource Center for Independent Living
*Sacred Heart Child Care
*Safe Kids Emporia
*Sertoma Club
*USD 252 Southern Lyon County Early Childhood Education Center
*USD 252 Southern Lyon County Honor Flight
*USD 253 Emporia Transitions Program
*What’s In Outdoors
The St. Patrick’s Committee is also starting funding to endow a scholarship at Flint Hills Technical College. A similar scholarship at Emporia State University is now fully funded.
The next visible step in the fundraising process will be the annual auction Feb. 22 at Bruffs Sports Bar and Grill. The parade is March 16.
Last year’s fundraising generated a record $30,000 for 19 groups, and the committee has now raised almost $290,000 over the past 23 years to benefit over 110 community groups. The number of participating groups has exploded in recent years from one or two to its current number.
For more information, call Ternes-Lowery at 343-0745.
