The Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers is excited to host the Bachelor of The Year 2014 Fundraiser on March 8, 2014 at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.  Last year this event was acclaimed one of the most successful and entertaining nights for the Irish and Irish American Community in New York and we here, at the Center, are eager to hold the event again in 2014.

In order to run the event, we need eligible bachelors and are currently receiving entries. Our contestants may hail from far and wide across the tri-state area, be between 21 years to 45 years of age and have never been married. In addition to a private interview held by a panel of judges, they will entertain their supporters on stage with an interview, conducted by our event MC, along with showcasing a party piece for the crowd.  The panel is furnished with the task of choosing the winner and will be looking for certain criteria, such as class, authenticity and an exemplar personality, as last year’s participants exhibited.

Local Bronx Fire Fighter, Brian Downey fought off stiff competition to come out triumphant with the 2013 title. This year, we are excited to announce the introduction of an audience voting system whereby each guest may cast a vote for a small fee and the results of the vote will be reflected in the judges’ decision. The winner will receive a monetary prize, along with the desirable title, Aisling Irish Center’s Bachelor of the Year 2014.

We are fortunate to have the renowned ESPN Commentator Tommy Smyth as our Event MC and the popular Broken Banjo Strings as our musical entertainment, which adds to the fundraiser. We are delighted Heineken have come on board to support the event again this year, along with Irish Central and NYGAA, and their reinforcement is hugely appreciated at the Center.

This is an extremely important fundraiser for the Aisling Irish Center and has been since its establishment in 1996. The Center strives to deliver a high standard of vital social, educational, cultural and recreational programs to the local and neighboring communities of New York. The Center is the main provider of services for the elderly community throughout Yonkers, The Bronx and Upstate New York.  Our ‘Young at Heart’ senior group meets bi-weekly for various events and activities, as well as enjoying a free weekly lunch. Other senior services include outreach to the homebound, assistance with passport and pension applications and other documents, and various classes throughout the week such as a reading group, chair yoga, computers for seniors.

We also provide confidential and professional counseling; legal, immigration and social services; employment & accommodation referrals; classes in Irish language and dance; computer classes; Karate for Kids; acting classes for children, Art classes for children; Yoga classes for preschoolers, teenagers, adults and seniors; Boot Camp; Moms & Tots group; weekly AA meetings; free adult education classes (GED and External Diploma); make-up classes; Photography classes; Weight Watchers; a TAIW Defensive Driving Course; classes in meditation; TACHS Exam Preparation class and regular mental health workshops. The Center also coordinates the “Irish Volunteers for the Homeless” program whereby volunteers prepare food and beverages each Monday and these are later transported to Manhattan and distributed at various locations to help feed the homeless.

Due to an increase in resource demand, the center widened its range of services last year and extended into the adjoining premises. This is an ambitious and expensive project to undertake. However, our community warrants this need and is already benefiting greatly from the expanded programs on offer. We were also very involved in the relief Superstorm Sandy efforts and continue to work directly with community groups and fellow New Yorkers who are rebuilding their lives after the storm.  The fundraiser is vital for the Aisling Center to remain an effective leader in the community and continue to develop its front line immigrant resource services.

The main event starts at 8pm in Gaelic Park and tickets are only $30 and now on sale. Tickets will be available via the Bachelors, directly at the Aisling Irish Center or alternatively, online at www.aislingcenter.org.  Follow the event on Facebook and for more information on the event and our services, contact Linda on 914 237 5121 or e-mail linda@aislingcenter.org.