Sometimes, a little luck can go a long way.
Twenty years ago, a group of Capitol staffers, lobbyists and a smattering of others began the Harrisburg chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick to embrace their Irish heritage and Irish culture.
Since then, the group has grown into a diverse club of men and women who want to have a strong local impact—and a little fun along the way.
Ted Mowatt, a founding member and past president, remembers when the Friendly Sons would meet in the basement of a bar that no longer exists. One of the prouder early moments was helping to restore the St. Patrick’s Day Parade after it had become a dormant, distant memory, he said.
Another group—the Capital Region Association of Irish and Celts—now organizes the parade, but the Friendly Sons’ biggest event still revolves around the annual observation of all things Irish.
Each year, the Friendly Sons holds its largest fundraiser, the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, close to the big day. This year, the celebration takes place March 13 at the Federal Taphouse in downtown Harrisburg, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the New Cumberland River Rescue. To further emphasize the first responder theme, the Friendly Sons has named Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline as “Irishman of the Year.”
As a volunteer firefighter, treasurer Butch Comstock knows how hard it can be for emergency responders to find the funds to keep meeting the needs of the community. After 17-year-old Medard Kowalski went missing on the Susquehanna River in December, members of the group saw how much of their own time and resources the river rescue gives, Comstock said.
“Enough can’t be said for those folks,” Comstock said. “They donate thousands of volunteer hours every year, and their equipment takes a beating nearly every time they get on the water. We feel that it’s an important year to recognize them for their efforts.”
On average, about $4,500 is given to the St. Patrick’s Day chosen charity, Comstock said. He hopes this year’s event will be the biggest yet. A $30 admission ticket includes performances by Andy Mowatt’s Steely Jam, beer, wine and food, as well as a cash bar for themed cocktails provided by Southern Wine and Spirits.
MaryEllen Parmer, vice president of the local chapter, said members like to get together to have a good time, but they want to do it with a purpose.
“We like to have fun in order to give to other groups that are deserving,” Parmer said. “We’re definitely an organization that likes to throw a good party.”
The more events they can do each year, Parmer said, the more money they can raise for area charities. In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, the group has held Halloween parties, a Toys for Tots drive and charity golf events.
While Irish-focused, the group would like to be a diverse organization, Mowatt said. The Harrisburg chapter has made a concerted effort to recruit female members, as well as those who don’t have more than a sprinkling of Irish heritage in their veins, if that, he added.
“We’re more about enjoying the Irish heritage, while putting a lot of energy into taking care of the community that takes such good care of us,” Mowatt said. “We’re an organization with a lot of history, and we foresee a bright future.”
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Harrisburg Chapter, can be found on Facebook and reached at hbgfriendlysons@gmail.com. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is slated for March 13 at Federal Taphouse, 234 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com and search for “Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.” Tickets are also available at the Federal Taphouse.
The annual Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at 2 p.m. on March 21.
