The American Ireland Fund Sets Fundraising Record at 31st Annual Dinner Gala

The American Ireland Fund Sets Fundraising Record at 31st Annual Dinner Gala

Landmark Irish American Fundraising Event Raises $4.1 Million for Irish Causes

Sesame Street Adaptation for Northern Ireland and Integrated Preschool Program to be Formally Announced

NEW YORK, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- On the eve of its 31st annual Dinner Gala, the American Ireland Fund (AIF) today announced a new fundraising record for the event, raising $4.1 million for deserving projects in Ireland. The gala, the largest in AIF's 31 year history, is expected to be attended by more than 1,300 guests at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. Joan Ganz Cooney, Co-Founder of Sesame Workshop, and Bob McCann, Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch & Co., will be honored for their dedication to the Irish American community and generosity to causes in Ireland.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060504/NYTH052 )

At the event, the AIF will formally announce its support for two major programs targeting Northern Ireland's youth, both of which are aimed at rescuing the region's new generation from the prejudices of their predecessors.

* First, through a historic partnership with Sesame Workshop, the non-
profit organization responsible for Sesame Street, the AIF has made a
gift of $1 million which will enable this iconic television program to
be adapted for Northern Ireland as a means of promoting the values of
tolerance, acceptance and understanding among children. The initiative
will consist of a television series produced in Northern Ireland and
focused on local youth and set to air over an 18 month period beginning
in early 2007. In addition to the series, educational outreach
materials will be distributed to reinforce the show's important
messages to children in the region.

* The AIF will also construct and staff an integrated preschool for the
education of Catholics and Protestants together in Northern Ireland as
part of its ongoing commitment to integrated education. Only 6% of
Catholic and Protestant children are educated together in Northern
Ireland and the AIF will build on its funding of the integrated
education movement started in the 1980s through this initiative. Seen
as a "pipeline of hope," this first preschool aims to have many of its
pupils continue their educational careers in integrated school systems.

"We are proud to be the prime supporter of these historic initiatives aimed at bringing new hope to a new generation of children in Northern Ireland," said Kieran McLoughlin, Vice President of the AIF. "All children deserve a chance to learn and grow, to understand the world and each other. Shockingly, research has revealed that Northern Ireland children as young as three years old have begun developing sectarian beliefs. The need to counteract this was the impetus for our commitment to these initiatives."

Commenting on the success of the event, Bob McCann, Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch & Co. and dinner honoree, said, "As a strong supporter of the AIF for many years, I am especially proud to be part of this historic evening. The level of generosity and support of the Irish American community is extraordinary and is responsible for making this gala the most successful in the history of the organization. I'm especially gratified that we are able to help the youth of Northern Ireland through the establishment of the AIF's first preschool and the much-anticipated launch of Sesame Street there."

A localized version of Sesame Street developed for Northern Ireland will serve as a catalyst to help children develop the skills to challenge ignorance, dispel stereotypes and champion diversity. The program will also serve as a valuable resource for children, parents and educators by:

* Contributing to a "Shared Future" in Northern Ireland.
* Presenting to children positive images of themselves and others.
* Imparting the values of mutual respect, understanding and the
appreciation of diversity to counter negative stereotypes that attempt
to dehumanize the "other."
* Helping the early childhood community in Northern Ireland achieve its
strategic goals.

As with all of the Workshop's local adaptations, this program will address the acute issues facing the region. The program will encourage a shared society in which people make choices that are not bound by historical divisions and where there is respect and tolerance for cultural diversity. Sesame Workshop will partner with local organizations to help bring the program to the youngest audience and develop an education plan focused on topics related to diversity and acceptance: racism, sectarianism, gender, and respecting people with disabilities.

"We are so pleased with this commitment from the American Ireland Fund that will enable this worthwhile program to move forward," said Joan Ganz Cooney, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Sesame Workshop. "All of us at Sesame Workshop are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the children of Northern Ireland a program that will encourage mutual respect, understanding and appreciation within their community, which we hope will resonate for many years to come."

Senior executives from Sesame Workshop traveled to Northern Ireland to meet with representatives of the public and private sectors, including broadcasters, government ministries, and educational organizations to bring this project to fruition. This project follows on the success of several other Sesame Street initiatives designed to bring educational values to children in over 25 countries around the world including Israel, Palestine, Kosovo and South Africa.

About The Funds: The Ireland Funds is the leading worldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development for the island of Ireland. With operations in 11 countries, the Ireland Funds have created a unique global network of people with an interest in Ireland and has to date raised almost $300 million for over 1,200 non-profit organizations in Ireland. To ensure ongoing support for and increased awareness of these initiatives, the Funds will host more than 80 planned events this year in 39 cities and 11 countries, which are expected to be attended by more than 45,000 supporters worldwide.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060504/NYTH052
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: American Ireland Fund

CONTACT: Paul Keary or Evan Goetz, both of Financial Dynamics,
+1-212-850-5600, for AIF

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