Mark Cuban Saves Greenville Ave. St. Patrick's Day Parade
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Since 1979 the annual Greenville Avenue St. Patrick's Day parade has brought thousands of revelers out to celebrate the Irish holiday in style - but this year the parade was almost over before it began, becoming a victim of its own success.
When the parade stepped off 33 years ago it was relatively small and easy for the organizers to manage, but with crowds swelling in size to over 100,000 the need for financial assistance to cover the cost of barricades, added security and trash pick-up had become necessary.
With the parade date quickly approaching the city of Dallas gave the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA) a deadline of February 17 to come up with the full amount of $100,000 to cover the cost of the event, or it would be canceled.
In a last ditch effort several groups have organized and tried to raise the funds necessary to save the annual parade.
But today GAABA announces that the 2012 parade has been funded and saved by former Grand Marshall Mark Cuban on behalf of Dallas based company FilesAnywhere.com.
Mr. Cuban has not only provided the funding for this year's parade but an additional donation to the DISD Scholarship Fund that GAABA provides to students within the Dallas Area.
"Thank you to Mr. Cuban and his company FilesAnywhere.com as well as all of our great supporters including Ben E Keith, Anheuser Busch, 105.3 The Fan, CBS Radio and the Dallas Observer, as well as all of the generous donations from individuals that have made this years parade happen." Said Jorge Levy President of GAABA. "Each year is a challenge to produce this heritage event for the Dallas community. We feel it's a great event for a great cause to help raise money for the scholarship opportunities we are able to provide to help ensure our youths future."
LISTEN: GAABA Pres Jorge Levy on 1080 KRLD
Podcast
Friday February 17, 2012 105.3 The Fan and the Dallas Observer will host an all day fundraiser to help ensure the future of the Greenville Ave St Patrick's Day Parade.
105.3 The Fan will broadcast from 5:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Desperados Mexican Restaurant, 4818 Greenville Ave in an effort to help raise the funds for the future of the annual parade and support the GAABA scholarship program and ensure there will not be another chance of the parade not happening.
(Copyright 2012 by CBSDFW.com. All Rights Reserved.)
Also Check Out:
