A posthumous recognition award was given to the great musician Larry Reynolds Sr. for his contributions to music and his wiliness to always help out a cause when needed. His wife Phyllis accepted the award from Winnie Henry right with sons Jimmy and Larry Jr., daughter Debbie and Gerry McGrath, of the St. Rock Haiti Foundation, left.
Photo: Siobhan Gallagher
 
 
 
The 4th Annual Irish Hearts for Haiti Benefit Dance took place on April 7th at the Boston Marriott Quincy Hotel and according to Winnie Henry, Chairperson of the fundraising committee, “it was a huge success raising over $109,000 and this sum will be matched by the Flatley Foundation”. Winnie went on to say that, “it was so fitting for us to gather together on Divine Merci Sunday to focus our attention on the poorest of the poor, the children of Haiti.” All proceeds go to support Nuestvos Pequenos Hernanes (NPH) in Haiti.
 
Bill Jean, the invited guest speaker, is one of the children who grew up in the Friends of the Orphans St. Helen’s Orphanage in Haiti and is a testament to what is happening to many abandoned and orphaned children. He said, “Growing up at NPH was wonderful, we lived together as real brothers and sisters, no discrimination”. He went on to say that “...Children were encouraged to know and develop their own talents and skills and much more”. Jean is now studding at University Quisqueya where he hopes to peruse a master’s degree in international law or business law and one day be able to give back to the very organization that helped him.
 
Finally Winnie thanked every one for coming to the event. She thanked the Irish Clubs and organizations, the musicians, the media and the people who so generously gave to event. She also thanked the Flatley Foundations for their generous support. Winnie also recognized the honorees, Pat (Doc) Walsh, Steve and Mary Wessling and Phyllis Reynolds and her family in memory of the late Larry Reynolds.
 
For more information on Friends of the Orphans call 617-206-4940 or visitwww.friendsoftheorphans.org.