3rd Annual FIESTA DE LOS  SAN PATRICIO
After Action Report

We had a grand time at the OC FUNdraiser this past Saturday. The weather was perfect! Folks from all over SoCal came by to help support the cause; some from as far as Bakersfield (I think it was the $2 Guinness; they were hoping to be able to get a few cases 'to-go'.)

The music, singing and dancing were all spot-on. We managed to raise nearly $1000 in just two hours. I hope we can expand it by a couple of hours and do even better than that hourly rate next year.

Special thanks goes out to Chuck Ross and the folks from The Old Town Hospitality Corp/Fiesta del Reyes for sponsoring this event. The Irish-Mexican food was great and the prices on drinks was more than generous (the $2 Guinness flowed like water).

I want to thank the Cameron Highlander pipers for coming out. The pipes called many a wandering tourist into the event and they stayed for the party and donated to the cause. Bravo!

And what can I say about the Rose-Ritchie Academy of Irish Dancers?! They danced flawlessly for an hour and wowed the crowd with their performance. Thanks Rori and all the dancers for this huge effort.

I want to thank the Police and Fire Emerald Societies for stopping by; that includes the LA Police Emerald Society (I think they went home with half the raffle prizes). Your presence and support is much appreciated by the troops we serve.

I have to give a shout out to (Father) Bob Mulrooney and the Irish Import Shop on Harney St. in Old Town. Bob not only hosted the pre-party to get the "Moron Tubercular Choir" warmed-up and in fine singing voice for the event, but had a couple of prizes for the raffle as well. If you have not been to the shop since Bob took the helm, well, you are in for a treat. Bob has revamped the store and it looks fabulous. Soon he'll be carrying the local Friendly Sons and Emerald Society wares as well as the traditional Irish goods we all know and love. Stop by and check it out.

Finally, I want to thank all the Friendly Sons who came out in their green jackets and GAS caps and supported the effort. The barmaid was impressed by your 'capacity' and promises a second line for the Sons next year. Thanks to Ms. Margie for running the raffle and to the Club for donation of a prize.

Well.....just one more thing.

We have been given a golden opportunity by Kerry Records. We will receive a portion of the proceeds from their concert here in San Diego on December 16, 2011 at the Balboa Theater.

The more tickets that are sold, the more there is donated to OC. Plus, they will advertize corporate sponsorship for the event. So if the business you own or work for wants to sponsor the event they'll get a nice bit of publicity while helping us support our troops. Win-Win!

See the attached handbill. Feel free to copy it and post it wherever you think it'll do the most good.

This is our last fundraiser this year. Let's make it a BIG one!