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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Although he retired from and closed Betro Pharmacy in August of the year, Peter Betro has kept his promise to remain involved in Walpole. Heading for what he thought would be just another 9 a.m. meeting, the Friends of St. Patrick were plotting something else.
As Betro entered the room, he was welcomed with laughter and applause. Just a moment later, the bewildered Betro was informed that he had been chosen as Person of the Year. To congratulate Betro were members of the Friends of St. Patrick Board of Directors, Walpole High School aide and job coach coordinator Pam Divris, and several students who had worked with Betro at his pharmacy.
Friends of St. Patrick Directors Donnell Murphy and Clinton Oxley congratulate Peter Betro, who was selected as Person of the Year.
Photos by Laura Drinan
Several of Walpole High School students who worked with Peter Betro at his pharmacy came to congratulate him on being awarded Person of the Year by the Friends of St. Patrick.
Photos by Laura Drinan
Thirty-two years ago, the Friends of St. Patrick was started to celebrate Irish heritage and culture while benefitting the town of Walpole. What began with raffles to raise money for those in need has since blossomed into a charitable town wide celebration.
Each year on the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day, the Friends organize parade that goes through downtown Walpole, an afternoon of cocktails and food, and a day’s worth of entertainment. For the selected winner of Person of the Year, the Friends deliver a presentation on their work and contributions to Walpole and the community.
“I don’t think anyone envisioned that it would get to be as big and as popular as it is,” admitted Donnell Murphy, whose father founded the organization with a small group of locals.
Last year, the Friends of St. Patrick had one thousand people participating in the parade and the afternoon entertainment. With 50 raffle items and a grand prize for a trip to Ireland, the Friends have raised over $400 thousand since its inception.
