General Information

Organization of the Hibernian Disaster Relief Effort

Ancient Order of Hibernians National Board AOH/LAOH

Our immediate goal will be to: Raise money for disaster relief for our Hibernian brothers and sisters in New Orleans and the Gulf States, as well as Catholic Social Services and Irish citizens affected by the ravages of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding.

The vehicle for this effort will be the newly created Hibernian Charity 501©3 program.

Our priorities for the Hibernian Disaster Relief Effort will be:

1. Our membership and their families in the affected communities (more than 400)
2. Catholic Schools and Churches as well as those who serve them for needs not covered by insurance and government programs.
3. Aid Irish Citizens who may be in the affected communities
4. Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Services agencies offering aid in the affected communities. We will also be sending clothing and other donated items through these organizations.
5. In the future months we hope to organize clean-up crews and skilled workmen to help return our members to their homes as well as others in need.
6. This is a continual need that will be a long and trying ordeal. We will work together to make this a fund for ongoing disaster relief efforts

New Orleans is an integral part of the Irish Diaspora that we are pledged to defend. The city was the second largest landing point in the United States for Irish men and women with their families fleeing the Great Hunger, An Gorta Mor, in the 1840-1850 era. This city accepted the refugee Irish coming through Liverpool on ships returning empty to the United States to gather more cotton for the mills of England. These Irish not only came to the city but their culture became a part of it.

The novelist Ann Rice noted in a New York Times op Ed piece on Sunday, that the Irish Culture that came with traditional music and it's Catholic Religion continues today in the unique St. Patrick's Day Parade with floats and bands that distributes "cabbages and carrots" along the parade route in March. Truly New Orleans is a city worth saving for its rich cultural fabric and many stout threads in that fabric were woven by the those Irish fleeing hunger and disease who made it their home.

The 100+ year old Ancient Order of Hibernian tradition, over 300 members, in the city is powerful also from our 1992 Convention to our future 2008 Convention in a city recovered and it's old vibrant self.

Please be generous in your fundraising efforts and donations.

Mail your tax deductible checks Made out to HIBERNIAN CHARITY to:

Hibernian Charity
BOX 818
Langhorne, PA 19047

For Information on Donations please call our Hibernian Charity Manager Bob Costello at 1-800-883-1551

National Vice President Jack Meehan has been named to chair this effort of both the AOH and the LAOH.

We were able to have former National Director and 2008 Convention Chairman Judge Jim McKay on our telephone conference Tuesday evening for an eyewitness account and we can tell you that the situation is dire but the "sense of humor" is still there. Jim will be our guest at the National President's Dinner on September 17.

There will be a committee of six working with Jack Meehan, including the National Chaplains, to prioritize the needs in the affected communities.

The Vice President will also be making more appointments to work on the fundraising side of the effort. Please contact him @ (617) 770-9006 to offer your services or obtain more information on the program.

Donations Committee: AOH and LAOH National Chaplains

AOH: Tom Gilligan, Past National President and Judge Jim McKay LAOH: Margaret Hennessey, Charities and Maureen Shelton Catholic Action

Brothers and Sisters of the AOH/LAOH, the need is great but the Irish have always been generous and sharing. Please join together in this effort.

Ned McGinley
AOH National President Mary Leathem
LAOH National President