Rockville Centre Goes Green For St. Patrick's Parade

The streets of Rockville Centre were green on Saturday as The Parade That Cares And Shares marched through the streets of the village.

In its 22nd year, the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade has become a village tradition. And this year's parade was blessed with beautiful weather, even if there was still some snow on the roadside.

Led by Grand Marshal John Coghlan, more than 140 groups and 2,500 marchers paraded through the streets. They were watched by more than 15,000 onlookers this year.

Each year as well, the parade raises money for three charities: a local, a national and an Irish charity. This year's beneficiaries are Life’s WORC Family Center for Autism (FCA), which works to engage the autism community with its unique model of providing innovative programs for individuals with autism and their family members; Family Lives On Foundation, which supports the lifelong emotional well-being of children who have suffered the death of a parent; and the Irish American Heritage Museum, home to the Paul O’Dwyer Library.

This year's donation have not been totaled yet, but they usually run in the tens of thousands of dollars. Since its inception, the parade has donated more than $1 million to dozens of charities.

Photos: Village of Rockville Centre