Hibernian Juniors serve others with greetings and donations

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Special to The Vindicator projects: The Junior Division of the Golden Rose Queen of Ireland Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians of Mahoning County worked on a service project in which they sent Christmas greetings to U.S. service personnel overseas. Front row, from left, are Secretary Rachel Kepley, Morgan Donnelly, Ashley Thompson, and Braiden Forsythe. In the second row are Treasurer Erin Loomis, Mary Kate Kelty, Vice president Breanne Donoghue, President Lauren Kepley, Karra Loomis, Heather Foust and Bre Thompson. Breanne is holding The Vindicator article that gave contact information for local U.S. military members away from home for the holidays. The Juniors sent boxes of treats packed with several kinds of candy, breakfast treats, tea bags, cookies, wipes, card games, Christmas cards and more to U.S. troops in Iraq. The Juniors continue to color and sell all-occasion note cards as their 2010 service project to benefit Relay for Life.

The Junior Division of the Golden Rose Queen of Ireland Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, of Mahoning County, took on two service projects last year.

In November, the meeting focused on the group’s “Keep Christ in Christmas” theme and on sending Christmas cards and treat packages to U.S. military members serving away from home. The Vindicator printed names and APO addresses for servicemen and women of the community in its Operation Holiday Cheer project.

In December the group installed new members and approved plans for boxes of treats packed with several kinds of candy, breakfast treats, tea bags, cookies, wipes, card games, Christmas cards and more to be sent to Iraq. The Juniors approved the donation of their Mission money to the LAOH Missions and Charities.

The Junior LAOH all-occasion note card service project will continue this year. Members hope that the community will support them in their efforts to sell packages of note cards.

The girls hand-color three or more of the five cards in each package, which they sell for a $5 donation to Relay for Life. The group has committed to raise funds for the Boardman Relay for Life.

Many of the Juniors are students of the Burke School of Irish Dance. The Junior president, Lauren Kepley, led the Burke team in 2009 and will again in 2010. They raised more than $3,000 for Relay for Life and hope to raise even more this year. Each package contains an Irish Christmas blessings card, a St, Patrick’s card, and cards with Irish dance shoes, an angel and a shamrock.

To help with the sale of or to buy cards, call (330) 533-7542 or (330) 533-0918.

The Junior LAOH organization welcomes new members. Requirements are for Catholic girls ages 6 to 18 with Irish ancestry who want to learn about Irish culture, the country of Ireland, and famous men and women in Irish history and to participate in service projects.

The next meeting will be near the feast of St. Brigid, on Feb. 1. Information about the Junior Division can be found on the Web site www.ohio.aoh-laoh.com/juniors.html. The Junior motto is “In friendship, unity and Christian charity.”