16 members, including 3 on Zoom, and prospective member Michael Oakley heard Sean and Judy Clerkin of Columbia Heights describe their longtime involvement with the planning of the March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, until 2020 held in Minneapolis, cancelled in 2020 and curtailed in 2021 due to the pandemic and which this year is moving to Columbia Heights. The parade is a fundraiser for Camp Needlepoint, a camp experience for children with Type 1 diabetes offered under the auspices of the American Diabetic Association. The parade, which begins at 6:00 p.m. at 40th and Van Buren Streets, will feature bands, community groups, and families, and will be followed by a party at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill Street, Columbia Heights, which will be open to the public and feature Irish dancing.
The next volunteer service opportunity occurs on March 25 at SACA’s Hops for Hunger fundraiser. Signup will continue through the month. Contact Mark Grotewold at markandlizgrotewold@edinarealty.com to add your name to the list of volunteers who have signed up and receive details.
Speaker on March 16: Stew Thornley, educator for the Minnesota Department of Health, will speak on clean water issues in the state.
