Angel with aura   
November, 2009 Vol 1, Issue  2
hope logo
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOPe is a non-sectarian, charitable organization, dedicated to supporting  development projects that empower local communities in Third-World countries.
HOPe's News & Activities for November, 2009   
New Horizon's School Update
La Carpio, Costa Rica 
hope check cropped   
 Billy O'Sullivan presents a cheque for $7000 from HOPe to the New Horizons School Director, Susan Grosser. On her right are HOPe members, Paul Greene and Brendan O'Flynn.   
 
HOPe has been a central benefactor of the construction of the New Horizon's School in La Carpio, Costa Rica.  Located just outside the capital city of San Jose, the school serves a very poor community comprised largely of indigent, displaced earthquake victims from Nicaragua. 
    From the beginning, the plan for the school has been to create a trade school, that is also a safe haven for children to obtain a basic, fundamental education, necessary for their future success.
    The school was conceived as a two- tiered facility, with a carpentry school  on the ground floor, where children would be taught woodworking and carpentry skills, and a computer lab on the main level.
    In September, The New Horizon's School officially opened !!!  HOPe Charities equipped the school with over 65 computers, monitors, printers, Xerox machines and other ancillary equipment sufficient to complete the computer lab installation.  Children will be learning computer skills ranging from basic to advanced techniques, as well as (architectural) CAD program studies (computer automated design).  A women's computer learning center is now also operational, where the girls are studying both computer skills and web site design.
    The carpentry shop, outfitted with tools and equipment by HOPe is now also operational.  The first group of students is now hands-on with the hand tools and power tools, working with a local master carpenter as the instructor.  The boys have even begun their apprenticeship training by constructing cabinetry that was recently installed in the school's administrative offices. 
    All of the computer and carpentry training at the New Horizon's School is keenly focused upon the concept of teaching the students practical, relevant skills that will enable them to find gainful employment at the completion of their studies.
    There are many projects still planned for the school, but we are now up and running, to the delight and excitement of the New Horizon community!
 hope s grosser and children cropped
In This Issue
New Horizon's School Update
Mark Your Calendar!
The HOPe Ceili
Memories of Alfie Pakenham
HOPe About Town!
Mark Your Calendar!
-11/19, Thurs - Monthly Meeting; 
November HOPe meeting will be held in the Kerry Bldg, 305 McLean Ave., Yonkers, at 7.30pm.
-11/28, Sat - HOPe Ceili 
-12/17, Thurs - Monthly Meeting  & Holiday Party;
- 12/26, Sat - Burying the Wren Event Followed by Monthly Ceili.
Join our Mailing List 
or 
Forward this issue to a Friend 
Ceili - Saturday, November 28, 2009
to honor Alfie Packenham
 
alfie cropped
John Whalen will be providing the music at our monthly ceili in the Kerry Building on Saturday, November, 28th.
 
This November ceili commemorates the late Alfie Pakenham, who provided such inspiring leadership for HOPe over many years.
Memories of the late Alfie Pakenham
  
   "In November 2000, my friend Loretta and I decided to attend a set dancing ceili, as we had become accomplished step dancers, how hard could set dancing be?!? No further comment, I still have no clue!  We went to the Stamford ceili in Darien.  There I met Alfie . 
    How blessed was I to meet such a man that so unselfishly gave of himself to so many people and so many causes?  And  HOPe was the cause closest to his heart.  
   He worked very hard for the organization, from his position of Chairman to running benefit ceilis in New Paltz, NY.  His presence is sorely missed, but he will forever remain  in our hearts and with us on the dance floor."  Kathy Hannigan 

  "When Alfie walked into a room, the room became alive! His happy smile and glowing eyes, as well as his brilliant personality, just drew everyone to him. He had more friends than anyone I've ever known, including Pat Brady!!
   When Alfie got to know about HOPe, he became their biggest supporter. He saw the good, the help , the promise, the hope HOPE could bring to people all over the world.
   Alfie became HOPe's biggest fundraiser, holding ceilis in New Paltz, and recruiting friends and family for donations, food, and all sorts of help. He and Kathy worked tirelessly to make these ceilis fun and successful.
  If you missed one of these, it is your loss--anyone who has ever attended one still talks about the energy, the fun, the craic!
Alfie was particularly committed to raising funds for a school in Peru, and that school today is a vibrant reminder of  his dedication.
   To me, Alfie gave hope to HOPe.  He still does."  Pat Mahon
 
"Alfie would always try his hardest to get me on the dance floor, but I always refused. I found it was more enjoyable to watch him dance with my mom. I have never seen a bigger smile on her face like I did when they danced together.  That and well I was tired because he made me move bails of hay all afternoon!!" Kera Singer
 
"Alfie, above all, had what psychologists call PRESENCE. The word conveys a certain positive aura that is immediately evident to all. Some call it charisma. In Irish, they refer to such a man as "fear ann fein", a man who is special and different. Alfie was such a man. He exuded positive energy. He wasnever negative, never cynical. 
   He served as a very inspiring president of HOPe for two years. Tom Keaveney was so impressed by the way he chaired meetings that he continued to call him Mr. Chairman, long after his term ended.  
 
Alfred Tennyson's lines are very appropriate when we talk of our feelings of loss.
 
'And the Stately Ships go on to their Haven Under the Hill,
But O for the Touch of a Vanished Hand
and the Sound of a Voice that is Still.'  "
                                                                Gerry O'Shea
HOPe About Town!
hope members* Congratulations to Sean O'Shea for completing the NYC marathon in a very creditable 3 hours and 53 minutes. We are grateful for the sponsorship money, which is still coming in to our treasurer. Sean has already promised that he will run again for HOPe in 2010. Any volunteers to join him next year?
 
* Every St. Stephen's Day, December 26th, HOPe members and friends come together to participate in an old Irish custom, burying the wren. We dress in outrageous costumes and sing and dance in the various bars and restaurants that we visit. Of course, we collect money in each establishment for our HOPe projects. If you are interested in participating, call Mike Moran at 718 994 5359 or speak to Pat Buckley, Fergal O'Halloran or Paddy Dalton.
 
* It was good to see Fr. Vincent O'Connell, one of the founding members of HOPe, during his recent visit to New York to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Vincent visited our Thrift Shop, praised the volunteers who work there, and imparted a special blessing for the success of this important venture.
 
* President, Joe McCarthy, spoke, with his usual eloquence, at the Kerry communion breakfast on November 8th. He stressed the central importance of the spiritual dimension of our work in helping brothers and sisters who are in great need.
 
* Tom Kennedy, who organized the planning and refurbishment of the Thrift Shop, wishes to thank everybody who helped by providing materials or labor, especially Billy O'Sullivan, Vincent Collins and Liam Moffett.
 
* The office area in the Thrift Shop will be furnished over the next month or so. Does anybody have a filing cabinet or computer to donate for the office?
 
* Finally, on the Thrift Shop, Eileen Kennedy is still looking for  volunteers so that nobody will be expected to work for more than a few hours on any particular day. Her number is 914 557 1595.
 
* In early November, Joe McCarthy led a delegation from HOPe to meet the Irish consul general in New York, Niall Burgess. Joining Joe at the meeting were Eileen Kennedy, Michael Pryce and Dr. Lopez. They were very pleased to hear Mr. Burgess's assurance that HOPe would be very much on his mind for future events in the consulate.
 
* The HOPe holiday party will take place after our next monthly meeting on December 17th. Any suggestions or volunteers to organize that event?
 
* If you have any item you wish to include in the monthly Newsletter, please submit it to HOPe PRO, Gerry O'Shea. Also, if you have friends or colleagues that you would like to receive the Newsletter, pass on their email addresses to Gerry. His cell number is 914 439 5366 and his email is jamesgoshea@gmail.com.
 
* Again, we are grateful to Loretta King, owner of LiKing Marketing, for volunteering to design and produce this newsletter.
 
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Again, we sincerely thank you for your generous support!  Visit us at www.hope-charity.org .
 
 
Joseph A. McCarthy    Dr Elba Nilda Lopez         Tom Keaveney           Eileen Kennedy
President                        Vice-President                   Secretary                     Treasurer
914-433-8413                  718-931-3870                      914-237 2177                914-557-1595