Dear friends,
It is hard to forget the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the small country of Haiti on January 12th, 2010. Already struggling with one of the highest rates of poverty in the world, the natural disaster decimated the island nation leaving the country with little hope.
Miles away as the tragedy unfolded, our Irish community here in Boston took notice – we mobilized family, friends and local business and held the first annual Irish Hearts for Haiti in spring of 2010. The funds raised were donated to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for Our little Brothers and Sisters) to support the children left orphaned and effected by the earthquake.
Since that first event, our community has continued to increase its impact and a decision to expand our efforts to raise money for the children across all 9 countries that NPH supports was made, resulting in a name change to Irish Hearts for Orphans.
This year, as we celebrate ten years of transforming lives, we reflect on the incredible journey it has been watching the mission of NPH grow within our Irish community. We are overjoyed by the continuous support in our efforts to help transform the lives of vulnerable children in Latin America and the Caribbean by supporting the homes, health services and educational programs of NPH. We want to thank all who have participated over the past ten years, especially the Boston City Paper and their readers – this could not be possible without you.
NPH USA is pleased to announce that as a result of the Irish community opening their hearts to this mission, we raised over $131,000 at our 10th Annual Irish Hearts for Orphans Benefit Dance on April 7th! By supporting NPH every step of the way, you are helping to provide love, a family, and hope for the future to the most vulnerable of children.
The greatest gift we offer our children is the sense of security and hope that once again they are a part of a family. A family that promises them they will never have to go back to where they have come from. A family that provides the comfort of knowing they will always have food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and an education. A family that loves them unconditionally and strives to instill the importance of forgiveness, strength, hard work, and perseverance so that they will not live in the past but strive to change their future.
Thank you for being a part of ten years of love and support – our hearts are moved beyond words and filled with hope!
Warmest regards,
Irish Hearts Committee Co-chairs
Winnie Henry
Deacon Charlie & Barbara Sullivan
Doc Walsh
NPH USA CEO A. Frank Donaghue, Irish Hearts Committee Co-Chair Winnie Henry, NPH Haiti Speaker Jean Francois Seide, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of Ireland Aoife Budd, and Irish Hearts Co-Chair Patrick (Doc) Walsh who each participated in the presentation of the awards to our 2019 Honorees
Young dancers from the O’Shea-Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance perform at the 10th Annual Irish Hearts. Founder Rita O’Shea was one of this year’s honorees in celebration of her milestone 65th year of teaching Irish Dance.
Irish Hearts Committee Co-Chair Winnie Henry & NPH Haiti Speaker Jean Francois Seide. Winnie Henry was part of the group that founded Irish Hearts in 2010 in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Jean Francois shared his story with us at our 10thannual celebration about his experience working at NPH Haiti to provide aid to those in need in the days, weeks, and months following.
All of these people are great supporters of NPH USA and belong to many of the Irish clubs in and around the Boston area. (tanding) Joe Heneghan, Mairead Curran, Tommy Curran, Dermot Murphy, Pat Corbett, Mary Heneghan, (seated) Mary Burke, Sean & Ellen Costelo
Irish band Erin’s Melody who provides entertaining music at Irish Hearts each year:Colm McDaid, Margaret Dalton, Jim Keller, Eddie Grammer
