Eamon McCarthy, Chairman of St. Joseph’s Foundation welcomed the group attending the Press Conference which included many sponsors, members of the organising committee and Board Members and thanked them for being present to launch the 27th Greyhound Benefit Meeting in aid of the St. Joseph’s Foundation. It will take place on Saturday, July 5th in Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium, Cork.
Mr. McCarthy said “Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the Organising Committee, many of whom formed the original Committee in 1988/89. Your dedication and enthusiasm has been inspirational and I want to assure you that your involvement in raising in excess of €874,000 over the past 27 years has made a very positive impact. Funds raised from the benefit night have been allocated to the provision of respite care for children enabling the Foundation to provide some additional respite care. These funds have been a major factor in the continuation of this invaluable service for children and their families. The Foundation is very mindful of the part you have played in its provision” “I would especially like to welcome Mrs. Mary Walsh here tonight and thank her for her enormous contribution to the Greyhound Benefit Meetings down through the year, and we would like to wish Mary well on her retirement.”
He paid particular tribute to the various sponsors saying “To our Sponsors, again many of whom are committed to the Greyhound Benefit Meeting for many years, I want to say a huge thank you for your continuous generosity. We have twelve race sponsors as well as sponsors of the very attractive raffle prizes. We are all aware of the difficulties in the economic climate at present. Our sponsors continue to support St. Joseph’s Foundation and this is much appreciated.
FUNDRAISING for 2014
Mr. McCarthy said “The Foundation’s Fundraising thankfully continues to receive great support. Our main events are the Spring Fair, Greyhound Benefit Meeting and last year our Cycle Walk Run Event as well as church gate collections, Register of Friends Appeal, table quizzes and card drives, continue to be very successful and we attribute this to the generosity of the people in our catchment area. People are now more financially aware and hence are more prudent in their choice of charities. Thankfully, people have a grá for the services we provide on a daily basis and this is very encouraging for the Foundation. Without the combined goodwill of the organisers and supporters of the many fundraising events held throughout the year, the Foundation would not be able to provide as comprehensive a service as it does. Recent cutbacks have meant that the Foundation is not able to provide as comprehensive a service as we would like. Some services would not happen, in particular respite care for children, without funds received from the Greyhound Benefit Meeting and other fundraising events. I would like to thank all those who organise and support activities that raise money for the Foundation and there are many.”
DEVELOPMENTS
Mr. McCarthy said “ just to update you on the development of the day and residential services for children and adults with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome which is located at Liskennet, Granagh. Work commenced on this project last October and we hope to be able to commence using these services by September 2014.”
On completion, it will be dedicated to improving and enriching the lives and opportunities of children and adults.
In conclusion, Mr. McCarthy especially thanked all who work tirelessly selling tickets, sourcing sponsorship, advertisements, nominations to make the night such a success. “It is because of this dedication that the Greyhound Benefit Meeting has reached its 27th year. The money raised has never been more needed. I would like also to thank Chairman Paul O’Shea and Fundraising Administrator Maura Twomey for their work in connection with this event”