Set amidst the traditional Irish atmosphere of Moran's - resplendent with Waterford Crystal, crackling fires and Christmas cheer - the event attracted over 215 guests. The spirited festivities included dinner, dancing, musical entertainment, distinguished speakers, the presentation of the Young Leader of the Year Award, a live auction and raffle drawing for a Luxury Holiday to Ireland.

Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chairman of The American Ireland Fund, opened the proceedings by speaking of the importance of family ties at The American Ireland Fund and wished the Young Leaders another great year in 2008.

AIF Board Director & Patron of the Young Leaders, Bob McCann, (President, Global Private Client Group, Merrill Lynch) then addressed guests and emphasized the importance of the Young Leaders' role in the organization. He also spoke about the wonderful people he has met through the AIF, a common theme that each speaker referenced. He then presented the Young Leader of the Year Award, an annual accolade bestowed to the Young Leader who best represents the spirit of philanthropy, to Rob Fox. During his acceptance speech, Rob expressed how rewarding his four year involvement with the Young Leaders has been and thanked his parents, Joe Fuchs and Sheila O’Malley Fuchs for getting him involved. He also recognized his fellow Young Leaders for their hard work and announced that he and Pat Tully would co-chair the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Thursday, March 13th at Cipriani’s 23rd Street.

The event raised over $65,000 in support of projects in Ireland - a significant milestone, as the Young Leaders have now generated $660,000 in three years towards their goal of raising $1,000,000 over a five year period.

Young Leaders contribute to philanthropic causes focused on the development of Ireland’s youth, her greatest resource. They support projects such as PeacePlayers International, an organization which uses the game of basketball to unite and educate children in Northern Ireland; the National Institute for Intellectual Disability at Trinity College – an inclusive institute centering on lifelong learning for individuals with intellectual disability; Barretstown, the Irish Branch of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, which provides care and support of seriously ill children; Belvedere Youth Club, Ireland’s oldest youth club offering care, education and inspiration to Dublin’s under-privileged youth and Sesame Street Northern Ireland, an initiative to develop locally-produced Sesame Street segments addressing conflicts faced by Northern Ireland’s young.

All in all, the evening was a spirited kick-off to the Christmas season, a celebration of the group's accomplishments, and a toast to the anticipated success of 2008.

Photo Index

1. Natalie Ryan and Buffi McDonald
2. Natalie Ryan, Mike Ryan, Clay McDonald and Buffi McDonald
3. Tom Kennedy and Whitney Olds
4. Guest, Rosemarie Noone, Tara McCabe and Bernadette McCabe
5. Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Rob Fox, Bob McCann and Kieran McLoughlin
6. Joe Fuchs, Sheila O’Malley Fuchs, Rob Fox and Maura Weissman
7. Rob Fox and Maura Weissman
8. Kathleen Tuohy and Natalie Austin
9. Guests
10. Guests
11. Raffle Winners
12. Bernadette McCabe, Maureen Gillespie and Tara McCabe
13. Buffi and Clay McDonald
14. Kathryn Wholey Vreeland, Guest, Rob Fox and Guest
15. Guests
16. Moran’s Chelsea
17. Celtic Cross
18. Shelagh Montgomery, James Curtin, Peter Curtin and Caitlin McCormick