MANCHESTER, NH – After top o’ the mornin’ niceties, and a rousing rendition of “McNamara’s Band,” former Manchester Mayor Robert Baines got right down to the business of fundraising, the real purpose behind the annual Bob Baines Blarney Breakfast.
Now in its 16th year, Baines said he expected to raise $100,000 from this year’s breakfast, for a total of $1 million donated over the last 16 years. It’s money that supports three charities near and dear to Baines’ heart: Special Olympics New Hampshire, The Shirley Brulotte Fund at the International Institute of New England, and the American Red Cross.
Music is an integral part of the two-hour program, and this was no exception. Musical interludes were provided by the Unicorn Bad, The Young Irelanders, the NHPA Pipes and Drums, and special guest Christopher Duffley, who sang with gusto and did his best to get the crowd to join in the chorus of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” [see the video above,] ending with a warm hug from Baines.
Keynote speaker was Sgt. Richard “Dic” Donohue, the MBTA transit police officer wounded while pursuing the Boston Marathon bombing suspects three years ago.
Donohue spoke on behalf of the American Red Cross, which he credited for save his life with the 46 units of blood administered after a bullet wound in his groin bled out, and he nearly died.
Donohue fought his way back from his injury and returned to work after two years, but made the tough decision earlier this year to retire. He said he realized he would not be able to function at 100 percent capacity, which is needed in order to do the job to the high standard it should be done.
Donohue has accepted a position as an adjunct professor teaching criminal justice at Fisher College, and he and his wife are expecting their second child this spring.
Ray Garon, of EVR, was honored as this year’s recipient of the Shirley Brulotte Fund, in memory of Baines’ late sister, whose transformative work with Manchester’s refugee and immigrant population through International Institute of New England continues to inspire others.
Also honored: Melissa Crews of Hope for New Hampshire Recovery, for their work here in New Hampshire and in working with our NH delegation, toward policy change in Washington, D.C., as the city continues to grapple with a heroin epidemic.
