Sesame Street's Grover and Hilda thank the Fund - 4.10.08

On the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, The American Ireland Fund looked forward to building a new society in Northern Ireland through the launch of Sesame Tree, the Northern Ireland adaptation of Sesame Street. The Fund is the anchor sponsor of the local production of the iconic children’s TV program in the province.

Sesame Tree is aimed at encouraging Northern Ireland children to explore and appreciate the world around them, and promoting respect and understanding, Aligned to the revised Northern Ireland Statutory Curriculum, the television series will present engaging educational messages through stories and characters.

The launch was a furry and fuzzy affair and included remarks by:

• Kip Condron, President and CEO, AXA Financial
• Gary Knell, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop
• Kieran McLoughlin, President, The American Ireland Fund

A special appearance was made by Sesame Street’s Grover and his new friend from Northern Ireland, Hilda Hare. The pair thanked the Fund for their generous support.

Sesame Tree is being broadcast by BBC Two Northern Ireland. Reflecting the colorful world of the Sesame Tree Muppets, a website, www.bbc.co.uk/ni/schools/sesametree, has been developed and offers clips from the show, as well as interactive discovery games for children promoting the development of thinking and decision-making skills. The project also includes the distribution of outreach materials to preschools.

The Fund is proud to be the anchor sponsor of Sesame Tree.

Photos
1 - Guests enjoying the Muppet's show
2 - Grover and Hilda the Hare
3 - Stephanie Wilchfort, Gary Knell, Sheila O'Malley, Kip Condron
4 - Guests
5 - Grover, Hilda the Hare, Kieran McLoughlin
6 - Gary Knell, Claire Conway, Maureen Gillespie, Guest, Maureen Kelly
7 - Kip Condron, Gary Knell, Kieran McLoughlin
8 - Sean O'Rourke, Rob Fox, Maura Weissman
9 - Hugo MacNeill, Gary Knell
10 - Sesame Tree Clip

Video
Thanks to sesameworkshop.org

Info
Kieran McLoughlin
T - 212-689-3100
E - kmcloughlin@irlfunds.org