The SBCA President Thomas McGrath is pleased to announce that on Saturday, February, 25th 2017, at the Kick-off Break-fast, at the Seapoint Restaurant at 10AM. The Henry Knox Award Presentation will take place. Family, Friends and Neighbors are respectfully invited to attend this wonderful event. A $10.00 donation is requested at door to help off-set some costs. This year’s event will once again feature great music of Bob Fowkes and Curragh’s Fancy.
The event Chairman will be Suffolk County Clerk of the Courts Michael Donovan, who has always supported the fight to preserve the historical importance of Evacuation Day. “As President of the Association, it is an honor for me to appoint Mike to kick-off the festivities. His commitment and involvement with the SBCA and the entire community has been a tremendous asset to me and the Executive Board.” Said McGrath.
The awards are presented to everyday citizens involved in the community who seek no recognition, who are considered “Unsung Heroes”.
This year’s honorees are:
Mona Connolly Casper, a longtime resident of South Boston and Co-owner of the Sea-Point Restaurant, has always been involved in our neighborhood: Always helping someone in need, volunteering her time with so many charities and organizations, including the South Boston Youth Hockey and the South Boston Irish – American Society. Mona learned from her mother that South Boston pride is really about giving back to your community. Making this neighborhood better for the next generation of residents. Mona is also a great role model for so many young women in this community and she leads by example and always trying to do her best and treat everyone with kindness and dignity. Mona remains an important part of the fabric of this neighborhood, along with her husband Tom, who is also involved in coaching youth sports, the Connolly – Casper family represents what’s best about South Boston. Family, hard-work, community and volunteering. A true example of South Boston Pride!
“When the Cornerstone closed its doors two years ago, Mona reached out to me immediately and offered the function hall to the SBCA to allow the organization to continue to host the yearly Jimmy Flaherty “Kick-Off Breakfast” for the Evacuation Day events”. McGrath said.
Also being recognized is Bobby Linehan, for his selfless efforts in aiding those in need, and pitching in at the drop of a hat, for any benefit or worthy cause in the town. Bob has quietly gone about his many great deeds with one mission in mind, to make South Boston a better place. Bob’s charitable work has been going on for decades in South Boston as once part owner of the Legendary Quiet Man Pub.
Bobby continues to be involved behind the scenes in organizing the South Boston Vietnam Memorial Maintenance and upkeep on a yearly basis along with his crew. He also is works side by side with Tim Buckley on the successful Quietman Memorial Golf tournament. This event raises significant funds to help provided needed services to the various charities in South Boston “His leadership and labor skills are very crucial when it comes to putting together a golf tournament of this magnitude, and to continue the annual upkeep of the first Memorial of its kind in the Country. This just goes to show you how much Bobby loves his community and the respect he has for the boys who left this community and never returned.” Said Tom McGrath, President of SBCA.
Next up is no stranger to the community. Betty Flaherty, the longtime leader of the West Broadway Task Force, has played a key role in working closely with the Boston Housing Authority staff, including BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle and the tenants at West Broadway. Betty has also developed positive working relationships with the Boston Police, city and state officials, various non-profit organizations, for the betterment of the residents of the development. Betty is also concerned and works hard to ensure the residents receive their fair share of basic city services. Betty is well respected not only throughout West Broadway, but she quietly and effectively build relationships across South Boston to make this an even better community. “It is people like Betty Flaherty that often work hard and without any praise, but she is a true unsung hero in South Boston and she is someone respected and admired for ensuring everyone is treated with respect and dignity”. Said SBCA’s General Chairman Ed Flynn.
Finally, Oderra Jones from the University of UMass/Boston, Oderra is the new Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at the University of Massachusetts Boston in January 2013. Jones came to UMass Boston from the Metro-West YMCA in Framingham, Massachusetts, where he was the director of sports and teen programming, after a successful seven year career as a Men’s Basketball Coach at the Division 1 level.
Oderra was influential during the 2015-2016 winter hockey season when the Murphy Rink roof collapsed and while the renovations were on going. Concerned that South Boston Youth Hockey would not have a home, he reached out to the program and offered more than enough ice-time for the youth of south Boston, so that they would not miss out on a season. To this day UMass continues to host SBYH during the early month of September, until the Murphy rink opens later in the month.
At UMass Boston, Jones has been instrumental in developing and creating a strong community outreach program for the Division of Athletics centered around the Dorchester, Roxbury, South Boston and Boston communities. His major focus has been the planning and execution of community partnerships that both help the local community and promote the mission and goals of UMass Boston and its student athletes.
“Oderra has played a huge part in the management of the Clark Athletic Center Community Membership program, and cultivating relationships for youth groups, neighborhood organizations, and other external entities interested in using the Clark Athletic Center at UMass Boston.”, said McGrath.
Tom McGrath, President of the SBCA, said “It is an honor to recognize these individuals who dedicate their time and energy to the South Boston Community. I hope the community will join me and others on Saturday February 25th to honor these individuals.”Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.00 or by contacting Tom McGrath at tmcgrath1963sb@gmail.com
