The SBCA President Thomas McGrath is pleased to announce that on this Saturday, March 3rd 2018, at the Kick-off Break-fast, at the Seapoint Restaurant at 9:30AM. 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 of the 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 Court Michael Donovan, who has always supported the fight to preserve the historical importance of Evacuation Day. “As returning President of the Association, it is an honor for me to once again 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
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 March 3rd to honor these individuals.”Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.00. This event sells out annually so don’t get shut out!
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
This year’s Henry Knox Recipients are Lorraine Linehan, Jimmy Cahill, Sean Connor, Jennifer Zablocki Evans and Dianne Horne.
From an early age Lorraine Linehan had an interest in organizing fund-raising events and donating her time to community charitable causes. Lorraine believes in giving back to the community. There are a few non-profit organizations that hold a special place in her heart. Lorraine feels privileged to serve on the board of the South Boston Specials Kids and Young Adults and enjoys spending time with the members and volunteers each week and during the yearly outings. The South Boston Neighborhood House (the Ollie) is another organization that Lorraine has donated much of her time over the years in support of their mission and commitment to the South Boston Community. For years Lorraine participated on the decorating committee for the Laboure Center’s Annual Christmas House Tour. Lorraine is a proud committee member of the Stephanie Uftring Memorial Scholarship Foundation and a long- standing board member of the South Boston Irish American Society. Lorraine has been involved in the AVON Breast Cancer Walk for six years. As a survivor she has a direct connection and has felt compelled to give back with a thankful heart. Lorraine never considers herself a single entity as she sits shoulder to shoulder with so many giving and selfless individuals. Above all she appreciates the support of family and friends; especially her husband John and son Timothy.
Our next unsung hero is James “Jimmy Cahill. Jimmy a true son of South Boston is one of 9 children, has been married over 40 years to Maureen and has 3 children & 4 grandchildren.
Jimmy Cahill is a retired Boston firefighter where he spent 28 years on the job serving the city of Boston. Has volunteered for the thanksgiving and Christmas dinner since it was St Augustine’s then continued when it merged with St Monica’s. He has volunteered for anything asked of him, whether it was mashing potatoes, peeling carrots or washing dishes, he was there. Since the start of SB youth soccer, he has volunteered and could be counted on as a great contributor to the annual banquet. He also is a team sponsor for the program .to this day he can be seen down the stadium watching his grandchildren play. For those of you who may not know, Jimmy is a traumatic brain injury survivor he still continues once a week to volunteer at the center at MGH to drive other TBI Clients and speech clinicians. He also can be seen at their annual cookout serving, cleaning or whatever it takes at the drop of a hat. He has unofficially adopted many of the senior citizens around town as their chauffer as he will bring them to doctor’s appointments shopping or even stop in their home to do their banking. He also stops in Marion Manor weekly to visit. Not only helping them out but also becoming their friend. And finally, the title he cherishes most is being called the Chief greeter at the Shamrock Pub!
Sean Connor has been involved with South Boston Pop Warner since its inception and has coached at various levels for a decade. But it’s Sean’s work over the past ten years which sets him apart. He has taken on the responsibility of coaching the F team (5 and 6-year olds), where you need the patience of a saint, it is the youngest of the program’s teams. Thanks to Sean and his infinite patience, hundreds of kids have learned the basics of a very difficult game. Current and former players and parents all agree that Sean’s demeanor and approach to teaching while still making sure the kids are having fun are the reasons they show up week after week and year after year. He has selflessly given his time to share his knowledge of the game he loves with generations of new football players. Sean himself played high school ball at Don Bosco and went to on to play at Bridgewater State. Sean also coached baseball for South Boston Little League for a number of seasons. Sean is a father of three Nolan (15), Conlan (14), and Ella (12). The South Boston Community thanks Sean for his commitment and thanks his kids for sharing their dad with us!
Jennifer Zablocki Evans was born and raised in Andrew Square, where she stills resides with her husband John and three daughters Allison, Katelyn and Charlene. Jen cares deeply about her neighborhood and is proud to call South Boston her home. She is an active member of the Andrew Square Civic Association and volunteered for many years as the treasurer on the St Mary’s School Parent Council, but her passion is sports and being involved with the youth of South Boston. Over the past fifteen years Jen has been a volunteer coach for the South Boston Youth Soccer League, the South Boston Girls Softball League, St Brigid’s Girls Basketball House League and both the Gate of Heaven Girls House and Travel Basketball Leagues. Her proudest moment is when she led the Gatey Girls High School Travel team to their first ever CYO state championship. She also helped with the South Boston Girls Lacrosse League on the sidelines as both the score and time keeper. Her proudest moment is when she led the Gatey Girls High School Travel team to their first ever CYO state championship. Jen feels that many parent volunteers helped her while she was growing up in South Boston and she felt a need to do the same for the next generation.
Dianne M Horne, the daughter of Stan and Jeanette Greeley and sister to Bobby, Stan and Paul is a lifelong resident of South Boston who has always had time for her community while raising her 5 children, Randy, Janet, Valerie, Greg and Tiffany with her husband Ed. She has 9 wonderful grandchildren and a great grandson. Dianne for years has volunteered at the bingos on Thursday & Saturday Nights and Sunday afternoons for the parishes of St Vincent, St Peter & Paul, & Our Lady of Good Voyage. Along with running the parishes bingos, Dianne taught Religious Education classes at St Vincent’s and continues to so at St Monica’s. Dianne continues her work working with the South Boston Seaport Catholic Collaborative volunteering at St. Monica’s food pantry along with organizing and distributing Thanksgiving dinners to families in the parish and volunteering at St Monica’s annual Thanksgiving dinner to feed the less fortunate. She took over running the Christmas store at St Vincents after sister Kate Panetta retired many years ago which helps many South Boston families have a few extra gifts under the Christmas Tree.
Dianne also has been involved in the South Boston soccer league organizing the teams and writes the weekly articles. She also enjoys her work with the elderly in the South Boston BHA elderly buildings.
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 this Saturday March 3rd to honor these individuals.”Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.00 or by contacting Tom McGrath at tmcgrath1963sb@gmail.com
