Transcript prepared from the recording. Unclear words are marked in brackets.
- 00:00
But then he gave me another envelope and he says I'm very sorry for your loss and I'll see you when you get back.
- 00:16
I was absolutely stunned by his generosity. That envelope meant more than I could...
- 00:23
I could return home without having to worry about money during one of the most difficult times of my life.
- 00:29
[Applause.]
- 00:38
I have never forgotten what he did for me. He taught me something very important.
- 00:42
Sometimes a simple act of kindness can stay with a person for the rest of their life.
- 00:49
That to me is what the Irish community in New York has always been about.
- 00:53
Helping one another, opening doors for others and remembering where we came from.
- 00:59
I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me by taking an advertisement in the journal.
- 01:04
I was absolutely amazed and humbled by the response.
- 01:07
And to everyone who took a table here tonight, thank you so much for your generosity and support.
- 01:12
It truly means a great deal to me.
- 01:17
I would also like to recognise the Emerald Guild Society and Patrick Reedy you just met.
- 01:24
But we have two past presidents that are here tonight. We have Declan Moran back down there in the other room.
- 01:35
[Words unclear.]
- 01:43
And also we have Mickey McCreesh from County [unclear], a past president.
- 01:50
Who served as president immediately before I took over.
- 01:53
Declan and Mickey were instrumental in laying a strong foundation for me when I became president.
- 02:00
And I am extremely grateful to both of them.
- 02:08
Since it was founded in 1992, the Emerald Guild Society has helped put many people to work.
- 02:14
We give people an opportunity to enter the building industry.
- 02:17
Help train them and hopefully guide them towards eventually securing their own building as a resident manager.
- 02:28
And let's be honest, what could be better than living rent free in New York City?
- 02:37
Not having to pay for heat, electricity or a commute.
- 02:41
There's nothing like it.
- 02:42
Or cable.
- 02:44
Or cable.
- 02:48
Although we have been around since 1992, it's only in recent years that more people have begun to recognize the work of the Emerald Guild Society.
- 02:58
I ask everyone here tonight to please spread the word about what we do.
- 03:02
Look us up, visit our website and tell others about us.
- 03:07
We are always ready to help people who are looking for an opportunity.
- 03:14
So just go to our website, look us up, we are there and we are willing to help.
- 03:21
Charity has been at the heart of our organization.
- 03:24
Over the years, the men and women of the Emerald Guild have raised and donated a tremendous amount of money to worthy causes.
- 03:32
Only a few days ago, Tuesday night, we presented Colin and Eithne Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust with a check of $20,000.
- 03:44
That was our second $20,000 donation to the Trust in just seven months.
- 03:57
Colin was here this past January where he was the honoree of the United Irish Counties and prior to that we gave him the $20,000 check.
- 04:08
But this is a testament to the hard work, generosity and dedication of the men and women of the Emerald Guild Society.
- 04:14
I am incredibly proud to be associated with them.
- 04:23
I would like to thank my family and my friends, so many of whom are here tonight in particular.
- 04:28
I want to recognize over here at the back of the room is my uncles Mickey and Frank, my aunt Bridget.
- 04:40
And all my cousins that are over there, there's a bunch of you over there, I can't even, I know you're all over the place.
- 04:49
Thank you for being here and sharing this special evening with me.
- 04:55
On a personal note, I want to thank, well before I do that, my mother-in-law Shirley right there, my sister-in-law.
- 05:06
On a personal note, I want to thank my wife Robin right over here.
- 05:16
So Robin works for FEMA and she does some incredible work.
- 05:20
And right now, her phone is ready; she could be deployed at any time because of the incoming storm.
- 05:26
And she has done amazing, amazing work with FEMA. Robin, you're amazing.
- 05:36
She has put up with so many nights I've spent attending events from the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade
- 05:42
to the many charitable and community events supported by the Emerald Guild.
- 05:47
Unfortunately, our son Patrick could not be here tonight.
- 05:51
He is in Dublin where he began his master's degree this week after graduating from Trinity College a few months ago.
- 06:04
Robin and Patrick have always encouraged and supported me and I would not be standing here tonight if it wasn't for them.
- 06:17
Like so many Irish people, I came to America dreaming of a better life and hoping to achieve the American dream.
- 06:26
Being president of the Emerald Guild Society for a couple of years.
- 06:31
And then to stand here tonight, being honored by the Aisling Community Center.
- 06:37
As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, I can honestly say I have achieved that dream and much more.
- 06:47
But I also know that no one achieves a dream alone. Along the way, if someone opens a door, offers a helping hand or gives a little kindness, exactly the moment it is needed.
- 07:02
So once again, thank you to the Aisling Irish Community Center for this incredible honor and congratulations on 30 outstanding years of service to the Irish community.
- 07:12
Please know that the Emerald Guild Society will always be here to support the Aisling Irish Center in any way we can.
- 07:20
I am truly humbled and deeply grateful, not only for this honor but for the kindness, friendship and community that made this journey possible.
- 07:30
Thank you for welcoming me, thank you for standing with me and thank you for carrying forward the spirit of helping one another.
- 07:38
Have a wonderful evening and I will see you all on the dance floor soon.
- 07:42
[Applause and closing remarks.]
