17 March 2006
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!
a Chara,
I wish to thank all of the membership for their
kind letters and messages sent to my family during the Holidays.
Since my last message to you, I have become
concerned about the plight and needs of the victims of the recent
hurricanes and especially to our fellow kinsmen in the affected
areas. My parents instilled with great certainty upon me the fact
that by doing things together, as a family, every situation or
problem can be overcome. In bringing together our individual
talents, our Clan, our family is strengthened and prosperous.
In light of the catastrophic events of the last
few years, the need is greater than ever to help our kinsmen,
wherever they may be affected by the torments of this earth.
Preparedness is one of the primary things we all can do to protect
ourselves from the dangers which confront us all. It is my intention
to establish some primary emergency resources and critical care
outlets for use by the Clan members.
The formation of a central Blood Bank account,
beginning in the US, for the immediate needs of any member of the
Clan. Blood and blood products are in higher demand and lesser
supply than ever before. Since I was seventeen years old, I have
been able to donate over ten gallons of blood. With these credits as
a foundation, I will direct the establishment of an account with a
national Blood Bank resource in the name of the Clan. I encourage
all my kinsmen to donate blood if they are able, and to donate
regularly. The more donations we make, the greater the chance for
life for a person who is in need.
Other resources are being planned presently. The
establishment of an Emergency Assistance Fund to aid our kinsmen in
the event of a relocation due to fire or other catastrophe. Our
website staff is researching the use of an exclusive Members message
board. One of these sections will be dedicated as an emergency
contact point for members in crisis.
Continued planning and budgets are being submitted
in early April for our Gathering of the Clan in Ireland, 2007. I am
looking forward to celebrating our Clan and meeting each other on
this historic return of the Clan to our ancestral lands. A Medieval
Feast, the Ring of Kerry, our Tipperary connections, Cork and
Waterford, visiting the Capital, and so much more is waiting for our
members and their families during our Clan’s homecoming to
Ireland. More details will be posted on our Clan’s website as
final preparations are being concluded.
I continue to encourage all of you to invite your
extended family to join the Clan. By growing with family, does our
Clan become a great resource in our lives, and a perpetual treasure
to pass to our future generations. By providing support, assistance,
and benefits proper for our Clan members; will we be able to insure
future members and the perpetuation of our history as family... and
as, a Clan.
I am looking forward to my visit to Spain later
this month, my visit to Denver in May, and a return visit to
Southern California in October.
I will call for nominations and election of Clan
Officers later this year.
Tá fáilte romhat ar son ar An Togaidhe do Chenal
Clan UaRíagáin, an aimsir láithreach ar án Clan Ua'Riagain!!
(You are welcome on behalf of the Chief of the
Clan, you belong to the Clan Ua'Riagain!!)
Mise le meas,
An Togaidhe do Chenal Clan UaRíagáin na hEireann
