Milwaukee has developed a tradition of giving to charity before the celebration that comes with St. Patrick's Parade.

Never was that more evident than at Sunday's Emerald Society Fundraiser for COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) and Shielded Hearts.

There was an assortment of goodies up for auction.

Marine Corps Veteran and local musician Tam Lin joined CBS 58's Michele McCormack to start things off with some Celtic music and stories.

The two took the stage where Martin Luther King and Helen Keller once stood when the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center was the Grand Avenue Congregational Church.

It seemed only fitting to be in the company of this heroic law enforcement families.

"We're a community of women in relationships with law enforcement," explained Cheryl Romauld, Shielded Hearts. "Our group is here to encourage hope in police life."

The Emerald Society will be marching this Saturday in the downtown St. Patrick's Parade at noon and the Blue Mound Parade on Milwaukee's west side starting at 3:30 p.m.

Law enforcement supporters are asked to line the route and show their support for the men and women in uniform.

A day earlier, the efforts of Canine Cupids to find homeless dogs forever homes was bolstered with the annual "Luck of the Dog" fundraiser.

This was held at Dugout 54 and was organized by "Mystic Ireland" shop owner Clodagh McGuinness.

Local musician volunteered their time, various businesses donated items for silent auction and raffle, and the students from Glencastle Irish dancers rushed in from a competition on the same day to wow the crowd and rouse the spirits to remember what the holiday is truly about.