Support for St. Patrick’s Foundation

WASHINGTON — Parishioners and friends of the St. Luke's Catholic Church in McLean, Virginia, have contributed over $2 million the Jamaican based St. Patrick’s Foundation over the past 21 years. 

This was disclosed by Chairman of the Foundation, Mr. Marlon Creary, at the St. Patrick’s Foundation Jamaica Night dinner and silent auction at Flaherty Hall of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, on November 3.

Mr. Creary told the over 250 attendees, headed by patron of the St. Patrick's Foundation, Her Excellency LadyAllen, and Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, and Mrs. Vasciannie, that the financial support from the McLean community was very crucial to the daily activities that the St. Patrick’s Foundation operates. 

"Your assistance keeps our operations running and gives us the resources to serve approximately 6,000 people who depend on us,” he said, noting that the Jamaica Night event is the most significant fundraiser for the organisation.

Mr. Creary said that on a daily basis the Foundation directly caters to 1,500 persons through the centres they operate. These include an indigent home which caters to those with HIV/AIDS, Riverton Early Childhood Centre, the St. Margaret’s Human Resource Centre, Christ the Redeemer Resource Centre, and the St. Monica Home for the Elderly.

Meanwhile, Lady Allen lauded the Northern Virginia community of McLean for its generosity and support over the past 21 years.

"This function is very critical to the daily operations run by this Foundation. We have several school feeding programmess which serve meals to children, many of whom would not otherwise have been able to attend school. This has been made possible because of the financial support you continue to give," she said.

For his part, Ambassador Vasciannie commended Monsignor Richard Albert for his vision and foresight in starting the St. Patrick’s Foundation, which has touched many lives in the underserved community of Riverton City in Jamaica.

"It is important that we pause to recognise the value of charitable contributions made by individuals like you in the McLean community, to worthwhile causes like the St. Patrick’s Foundation," said the Ambassador.

Attendees had the opportunity to bid on various prizes, including trips to Jamaica, hotel stays and paintings. The coveted auction item was a Jamaican lunch with Ambassador and Mrs. Vasciannie.