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Colorful hats, sweatshirts and costumes declaring everyone Irish for the day came from all sides.
And by the time the first ever St. Patrick's Day parade in Independence made its inaugural lap around the Square, green in the form of money was flowing into the center's coffers.
People on the festive floats, who paid a donation to Sunshine Center to enter the parade, gave rides to dozens of the center's children, so they could wave and laugh their way around the Square.
"It's very exciting for our children and parents," center assistant director Chris Rounds said. "It's good to see people coming together to support Sunshine Center."
The fund-raising idea came from local attorney Les Wight, who couldn't celebrate St. Pat's last year because his leg was in a cast. "I made them put on green around the office and called it a parade," he said. Wight's whim became a dream, and then reality when the town's Irish spirit came out in droves. "This came at a good time," he said. "Independence was ready for a parade." Of course the participants had a good time, taking a sunny chunk of the work day off to join the parade. "We wanted to do this for the kids and for the fun of it," said Duane Stephens of First Presbyterian Church. Sunshine Center, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in June, serves infants, children and young adults through 21 years of age with disabilities, and typically-developing infants and pre-schoolers. "There would be a real void in services for these young persons if it weren't for Sunshine Center in this location in this community," Rounds said. Funds from the parade will go into general operations. The center serves 120 children on-site, and another 50 at their homes. Rounds said the center has a waiting list of 50- to 100 children. "We've outgrown this building," Rounds said of the facility, 607 W. Lexington. "We need to expand." DeShelle Holst utilizes the stay-home program for her children, D.J. and Danae. "The center helps us a lot," DeShelle's mother, Maggie Holst, said. Center volunteer Steve Fisher called it "a neat place." "This is a great fund-raiser," Fisher said, holding the door for people coming and going after the parade. Parade judges were City Council Members Will Swoffer and Jim Schultz, and Independence resident Lois McDonald. Following the awards, Wight got the crowd cheering. "Sunshine Center has OK'd us for next year," Wight said. Wight said it will be next week before they know how much money was raised for Sunshine Center. Parade winners were: - Best in parade: Tommy's Tavern - Runner-up: Independence 76 Fire Company - Float: Whiskey & Roses - Equine: Bill Lemmon's green horses - Walking entry: T.O.P.S. - Auto: K.C. Chuggers 1917 Model T Pie Wagon - Best music: Sound Choice Karaoke - Irish spirit: Jersey Sports Cafe - Costume: Ray Ettinger, The Examiner To reach David Tanner e-mail david.tanner@examiner.net or call (816) 350-6324. |