HUNTINGTON HIBERNIAN CHARITIES: "THE SHARING O' THE GREEN"

Embracing charities should be nothing new to the Irish. They have been doing it for thousands of years. During the Irish potato famine of the mid 1800's, Irish people struggled not simply to make a living, but stay alive. The riches of America were thousands of miles away and help from a neighbor, England would not be forthcoming. Throughout the entire Famine period, the British givernment would never provide massive food aid to Ireland.

For two years, the potato crop failed leading to The Great Hunger that would wipe out thousands of Irish and generations of families.

New Hibernian President Jack Ryan wants to keep the tradion of giving to charities an Irish tradition and vows to stay focused on helping others in need. "I see the good that we as a group of Irish men can do together, but more importantly, I see the good we can do as members of a greater world community."

As a lover of History, the lessons of the Irish people over 150 years ago have had an impact on Jack. He wants to continue the great traditions of the Hibernians of the past and blaze a trail of cummunity service for years to come. " Rich McGrath and I have been working together as leaders of the Hibernians for the past two years now and besides simply growing the organization, want to give it guidance in the form of real solutions for our public outreach." Money raised through St. Patrick's Day Parade journal ads, trip to Ireland raffle and the Grand Marshall's ball all help in funding the Harry Richard Brown St. Anthony's high school scholarship fund as well as keeping local food pantries shelves stocked through the Jim Regan Food Drive.

As writer Malachy McCourt is fond of saying; "You have to squeeze the grape to get to the wine." The Irish people have been battered and bruised over the course of their great history, but it is those who have weathered the storms of the past and learn from her history that carry on the charity for her children. No one embodies that mantra better than the Hibernians.

Neither wind nor rain will stop the Hibernians & Girl Scouts Food Drive

Braving the wind and rain of a Nor’easter on Saturday November 15, 2008 the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians, Div 4, Suffolk County, teamed with local girl scout troop, #1788 and Waldbaum’s Supermarket in Huntington Village, NY to collect over $4,000 in food products for local parish pantries. Despite the weather, residents generously donated over 30 carts of non perishable food to feed the hungry at Thanksgiving. Read more and view photos...