St. Patrick’s Day Parade Unit to Honor Sutherland’s Memory with Fundraising Effort
The men of the World Famous Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra (EAO) will be marching in the Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 4, 2017 for the 9th straight year. This year, they will be marching in memory of their 2014 Queen, Colleen Sutherland. Sutherland, who lost her fight with breast cancer this past fall, hosted a pre-parade gathering along with her husband Scott each March for the men of the EAO and their families.
“Colleen loved the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and all of the festivities associated with it”, according to EAO drum major Scott LaMorte. “We will definitely miss her enthusiasm this year, but we will never forget her. Her spirit lives on through her generous family and the men of the EAO.”
The EAO will honor Sutherland’s memory with its Distinguished Service Award. Her memory will also be honored through a fundraising effort for the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Infusion Center. The Center, located within the Nancy W. Knowles Cancer Center at the Hospital, provided professional, caring treatment to Colleen as part of her treatment.
“The incredible staff at Elmhurst Hospital’s Infusion Center provided loving care for Colleen. They include the entire family in their approach to wellness. They really made all of us feel like we were helping with her care”, notes Colleen’s husband, Scott.
The Armpit Orchestra will raise funds for the Hospital’s Infusion Center by selling pink shamrocks to be attached to its centerpiece instrument, ‘Mary, The World’s Largest Drum’. Small shamrocks can be purchased for $5, while larger shamrocks may be purchased for $20 or more. The shamrocks will decorate the drum as it travels the parade route on March 4th.
Donations by check may be sent by mail to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation, 155 E. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126, payable to the same. Mailed donations should indicate “EAO” or “Colleen” on the memo line or accompanying note. Those wishing to donate online may do so by visiting the Parade website referenced below and clicking on the “EAO Honor Colleen Donation” link (reference “EAO” or “Colleen” in the comments and the gift type is ‘Hope Lives Here Campaign’). Shamrocks may be purchased on parade day from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in front of the Ahlgrim Funeral Home (567 Spring Road) on March 4th.
The 21st Annual Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at noon on Saturday, March 4, 2017 from Spring Road and Wilson Avenue in Elmhurst. For information about attending, sponsoring or entering the parade, please visit www.elmhurststpatsparade.com or call Parade Chair Jim O’Connor at his local garage door business at 630-834-0300.