[caption id="attachment_67187" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Matt Morrison (l) with former NY State AOH president Chip McLean. Morrison is lined up to speak at the Oct. 13 AOH appeal dinner."]
The New York State Freedom for All Ireland Committee of the Ancient Order of Hibernians has announced its annual Northern Ireland Christmas Appeal dinner to be held on October 13, at Harbour Lights Restaurant located on Pier 17 of the South Street Seaport.
"The good will and outreach for the Christmas appeal each year brings direct results to the people of the North," said NY State FFAI chairman Dan Dennehy.
And it helps Americans have a better understanding of the needs of the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
Admission is included in a minimum donation of $50 to the annual appeal, and includes music and food. There will also be a cash bar.
A number of speakers are lined up for the event and they include Clara O'Reilly (Relatives For Justice) And the 2011 AOH Sean McBride Humanitarian Award winner; Matt Morrison of Thar Saile; Steve McCabe and General James Cullen of the Brehon Law Society and Sean Pender AOH national FFAI chairman and New Jersey state president.
All monies donated on the night will go to the AOH's annual Christmas Appeal, which since 2001 has raised and distributed over $570,000 in direct aid to the people of Northern Ireland.
Last year, the AOH was able to make donations to 21 organizations throughout Northern Ireland and the United States, including: Bloody Sunday Families, Derry; Cairdre, Strabane; Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast; Justice for the Forgotten, Dublin & Monaghan; Mary's Gift USA-for Irish speaking schools in the North; Omagh Basketball Club and Omagh Choir; Pat Finucane Center, Derry and Newry; Relatives for Justice, Belfast & Dungannon and Thar Saile, USA.
More details on the Harbour Lights gathering from Chairman Dan Dennehy at (914)588-2710 or by email at ffai@nyaoh.com or organizer@nyaoh.com.
