Taking a page from public radio–and from last year’s successful fundraiser–the hosts of the Irish radio shows at WTMR 800AM will be launching their on-air pledge drive on Sunday, May 31. Vince Gallagher of the Vince Gallagher Irish Radio Hour and Marianne MacDonald, host of “Come West Along the Road” need to raise $36,000 this year to keep the two shows on the air. (You can hear them between 11 and 1 every Sunday morning.)
The “radiothon” will run for five weeks, ending June 30. St. Patrick’s Day Parade Director Michael Bradley will kick off the give-fest on May 31, taking pledges and requests from callers. Other local Irish organizations are also donating their time, including the Mayo Association (June 7), the Donegal Association (June 14), the Tyrone Society (June 21), and the Irish of Havertown (June 28). Other volunteers are welcome and needed to answer phones and help with mailings.
This year, there are even pledge incentives – gift certificates, and CDs and DVDs of your favorite Irish performers, all donated. If you’d like to help or donate, contact Vince (610-220-4142 ) or Marianne (856-236-2717).
As they say on TV infomercials: But wait, there’s more. On Tuesday, May 19, the Camden County Emerald Society is sponsoring a night of Irish music and dance at the Coastline Restaurant, 1240 Brace Road, Cherry Hill, N.J. from 7-9 P.M. For a $10 donation at the door, the evening will feature music and dancing with Kevin Brennan, Vince Gallagher, Muriel Prickitt, Mary Malone, Den Vykopal and other local musicians and the Emerald Society Pipe Band. There will be a free dinner buffet, all drinks will be $1 and raffle prizes.
On Sunday, May 31, the Auld Dubliner Pub at 157 S. Burlington Street, Gloucester City, N.J., will hold a special fundraising brunch immediately following the radio shows. Everyone is welcome, there will be live music and dancing along with a special brunch menu and raffle prizes. Reservations can be made by calling (856)432-6578.
The Rose of Tralee Committee has pledged a special quiz night with proceeds going to the radio shows. They are also donated two tickes to the Rose of Tralee Gala on June 27 along with $30 in raffle tickets.
On June 17, all Pizzaria Uno Restaurants in the area will be donating a percentage of their proceeds to the radio shows when customers either show a special voucher or ask for the voucher for the radio shows.
