Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade Steps Off At Noon Saturday

Rockville Centre's St. Patrick's Parade is set to step off at noon on Saturday, March 25. And it will be led through the streets by Malverne Mayor Patti McDonald.

The annual event, now in its 21st year, has become a grand tradition in the village. In addition to being a celebration of Irish heritage, the parade has also become one of the largest fundraisers in the village. Each year, the parade donates to three charities: one local, one national and one Irish. This year's charities are The Backyard Players and Friends, Breathe Believe and Pieta House.

This year's Grand Marshal is Malverne Mayor Patti McDonald, who has been leading the nearby village for a decade. In addition to her role as mayor, McDonald has been very involved with the community. She has served as coordinator and coach of girls’ basketball at Our Lady of Lourdes CYO and coaches varsity tennis at Sacred Heart Academy. She has served on the Board of the Diocese of Rockville Centre - Momma’s House and on the state Board of Visitors Helen Hayes Hospital.

She is the recipient of the St. John’s University Elizabeth Ann Seton Award and President's Medal, the National Mother of the Year Award, the Town of Hempstead Pathfinder Award and the Holyoke National John F. Kennedy President’s Medal. She co-authored the book, "The Steven McDonald Story," with her husband, the late NYPD Detective Steven McDonald.

The Backyard Players and Friends began as a unique, inclusive arts-based community program dedicated to enhancing the social and interpersonal skills for teens and young adults of all abilities. BYPF believes that by providing arts-based experiences and hands on opportunities in a loving and supportive environment, our participants will be empowered to reach their full potential. BYPF works to create positive and meaningful experiences to decrease the gap between the end of students' structured education community and the new freedom of adulthood. They are based in Rockville Centre with classes at Molloy College, St. Mark's Church and The Recreation Centre.

Breathe Believe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to provide financial assistance to individuals with cystic fibrosis who cannot afford the essentials to stay alive. It is based on the premise that everyone with Cystic Fibrosis deserves a chance to fight the disease. No one should have to think twice for treatment because they cannot afford it. No one should have to be turned away from a lung transplant because they cannot pay for it. No one should die from CF because there is no cure and they cannot get what they need.

The Pieta House’s foundations lie in the care of those in suicidal or self-harm distress, but it also provides a more wide-ranging suite of therapies to deal with the issues facing the Irish in New York. Through the successful delivery of services as well as the implementation of community programs such as "Mind Our Men" and "Mind Ur Buddy," Pieta House has played an important part of removing the taboo of suicide, and bringing it loudly to the global conversation.

Photo: Patch