The Tally-Ho restaurant went green Tuesday night as people came dressed in their St. Patrick’s Day attire and donated money to Edmundite Missions’ Bosco Nutrition Center during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Benefit Dinner.

The fundraiser, started in 1981 by then owner Bob Kelly, chose the Bosco Nutrition Center as their recipient for this year.

Each year, the restaurant chooses a different local organization to help out.

“My dad started [the St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser] in 1981,” said Renee Wilkerson, co-owner of Tally-Ho. “The fun part is to pick what organization we want to [sponsor].”

Wilkerson said she enjoys helping a new organization each year and letting them know that they were chosen.

“[The recipient] is thrilled and excited that we chose them,” Wilkerson said. “It’s awesome to give back. It’s just fun.”

A table was set up inside Tally-Ho to raffle off different merchandise donated by local businesses.

All of the money raised from the raffles was donated directly to the Bosco Nutrition Center and Wilkerson said the profit made on the food was also donated.

Being the tradition it is, Wilkerson said she is used to seeing many familiar faces and many new ones each year.

“Sometimes we have the same people that come out every year on St. Patrick’s Day and then we just see new faces every year,” Wilkerson said. “We love it. We love St. Patrick’s Day.”

The Edmundite Missions’ Bosco Nutrition Center serves around 1,300 meals a day to the citizens of Selma, so the money raised is a great benefit to the organization.

“This is a wonderful gift to us to be able to this kind of event and help support the missions,” said Chad McEachern, Selma Edmundite Missions CEO.

“[We have] a great partnership between the community and the Edmundite Missions which we’re very thankful for.”