Addressing the Gala event, Senator George Mitchell said, “THE IRELAND FUNDS HAS DONE SUCH GREAT WORK HERE IN THE REPUBLIC AND IN NORTHERN IRELAND. I’VE SEEN IT FIRSTHAND IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WHAT YOU ARE DOING REALLY DOES MATTER AND MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND AND BEYOND. ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW YOU, THOSE WHO MAY NOT EVEN KNOW OF THE IRELAND FUNDS, I SINCERELY THANK YOU.” John Fitzpatrick, Chairman, The Ireland Funds America said: “AT THIS CONFERENCE WE HAVE MEMBERS FROM 27 CITIES FROM AS FAR AS SINGA- PORE, AUSTRALIA AND CHINA. ONCE A YEAR WE COME TOGETHER TO WORK AS A TEAM AND TO UNITE FOR COMMON CAUSES THAT HELP THOSE WITH GREATER NEEDS. I THANK ALL OF OUR CHAPTERS FOR COM- ING TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR IRELAND ON BEHALF OF THE IRELAND FUNDS.” Kieran McLoughlin, Worldwide President and CEO, The Ireland Funds said: “WE CELEBRATE THE POWER AND THE SPIRIT AND THE IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY. PHILANTHROPY CAN BE IMMEDIATE AND IT CAN ALSO BE LONG- TERM AND SUSTAINED. IT CAN BE INNOVATIVE AND TAKE RISKS ONBOARD IDEAS. THE IRELAND FUNDS HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SUPPORTING OVER 3200 PROJECTS THANKS TO YOU, OUR DONORS, WHO HAVE STOOD UP FOR IRELAND.” 2 4 6 8 10 12 3 5 7 9 11 13 connect 2018 • 48