HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Tuesday night was filled with pride for the city of Holyoke as the St. Patrick's Committee named its 62nd George E. O'Connell Award recipient. Past recipients of the award gathered at the Elks Lodge in Holyoke to bestow that honor on Jeff Walsh. Walsh has been a committee member since 2017---and is being recognized for his great contributions to the parade's fundraising efforts. Walsh's passion for music is what inspired him to create and bring before the committee in 2019 an entirely new event, known as "Marshal Mania." "I'm shocked---I didn't expect this---for raising funds to put the parade on the road---its been a lot of fun," Walsh told 22News. The countdown begins for the 72nd Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade on Sunday, March 23rd, which will be aired live in its entirety on 22News and right here on WWLP.com. Local News Headlines Corvette Club donates $8K to support local veterans Holyoke honors Jeff Walsh for parade contributions Springfield police urge caution following card skimmer incidents Monson Savings Bank donates $1,500 to Whip City Animal Sanctuary WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.