[caption id="attachment_68125" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="A HOPe volunteer with a family in Ethiopia."]
The aid agency HOPe (Helping Other People) kicks off its "Ten Years of Giving" campaign on November 30 with its annual benefit at the Manhattan Club at Rosie O'Grady's in Midtown Manhattan.
Irish people have and continue to have a proud tradition of charity both nationally and internationally whenever and wherever it is needed.
It was in this spirit that HOPe was born in the Kerry Hall by a small group of committed individuals. Ten years later, HOPe is a recognized humanitarian organization that works to battle extreme poverty in the developing world.
Over the years, HOPe has built community centers in Peru, carpentry schools in Costa Rica, provided micro-loans and business training in Ethiopia and recently sent a container full of tools and supplies to Honduras - all on a volunteer basis.
"Our focus is on education and capacity building. We give the less fortunate the tools and resources they need to fight their way out of poverty," said Michael Pryce, HOPe board member and director at National Australia Bank.
This year, HOPe has a special appeal for the relief of the drought in the Horn of Africa, a disaster that is affecting over 11 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
Special guests at the upcoming benefit will include Irish Consul General Noel Kilkenny and his wife Hanora O'Dea Kilkenny and local musicians.
Mike Carthy of Rosie O is providing the venue and food. There will be a cash bar and prizes and suggested donations at the door start at $30 and upwards.
The Manhattan Club at Rosie O'Grady's is located at 52nd and 7th Avenue and the event is from 6 to 9 p.m. RSVP to Michael Pryce at (212)916-9577 and for more information go to www.hope-charity.org.
