Irish Christmas Comes Again to Ellicottville
Irish Christmas Comes Again to Ellicottville
Bob McCarthy’s Annual Fundraiser Returns to EBC’s Brew Hall, Dec. 1st
Bob McCarthy was a legend in our collective Ellicottville minds and hearts. He unexpectedly departed this earth seven years ago, leaving behind a remarkable giving legacy that continues to this day.
Since the late 70s, Bob was the “Voice of Ellicottville”, serving as Master of Ceremonies for many Holiday Valley and Ellicottville events. Highly visible as he was at such times, Bob also worked quietly behind the scenes sharing his energy, drive and Irish humor to bring success to many endeavors. He worked tirelessly without any desire for recognition, yet his fingerprints will forever remain all over Ellicottville. Not only was he the force behind Irish Christmas, but he also created events like Farm Fest, Snowboard Auction, Celtic Thunder, and Americana Folk Art & Music Fair. All designed to raise funds for worthwhile causes, the jewel in his crown was Irish Christmas, started 18 years ago to provide funding for “Santa’s Workshop” which quietly helps needy families with a holiday meal and gifts. Hosted by the Bob McCarthy Foundation (a 501c3 community foundation), the event now serves to raise funds not only for Santa’s Workshop but also the Cattaraugus County Santa Sheriff Program.
A retired Special Education teacher, Bob loved kids, and one of his favorite causes was Santa’s Workshop. Continuing support of this cause, The Bob McCarthy Foundation also focuses on supporting families’ needs year-round by funding many other programs. They focus their endeavors on the Great Valley-Ellicottville School community by annually providing a number of $500 scholarships to both ECS and BOCES students, giving assistance to area food banks, developing youth programs and a summer reading program, and much more. The organization works with local suppliers to help those referred by the school or social agencies. Like Bob McCarthy, a lot of their philanthropic work is quietly carried out in the community.
It wasn’t just Bob’s “Voice”, or his philanthropy, or his energy and enthusiasm that made him such an outstanding individual… he was also a master woodcrafter who was constantly using those talents for good. The main part of the Irish Christmas event is the fabled auction (7:00pm - get there early to scope things out), hosted by Brooks LeFeber and helpers. The auction always includes handcrafted wooden items made by Bob, Ed Frederickson, Hughey Dunn and others. Frederickson and Dunn continue the tradition along with others who have generously contributed items to be auctioned off at the event. Word has it that a unique piece of Bob’s work has surfaced and will be a hot item on the auction block. Because Bob had a little bit of quirky (ok, a lot) in him, he decided to have pies and baked goods as part of said auction, so every large item comes with “something from the oven” contributed by local home chefs who faithfully contribute their goods annually. This year, you are invited to bid on 15 unique auction pieces along with a basket raffle for over 40 locally donated gift baskets. Admission to the event is free, all beer and wine is specially priced at $5 (thank you EBC) and Taste of Ireland food specials are priced at $5, provided by Ellicottville’s finest restaurants. Oh yes, all of those proceeds are donated to the fund when the event is over. Bangers and mash, anyone?
Naturally, there is live entertainment, again this year by Buffalo’s Crikwater before and after the auction. Attendees have been known to say that this is the best party in Ellicottville, so why would you want to miss it? If you want to support the Foundation but find you cannot be there, you can donate at www.bobmccarthyfoundation.com/donate or via the mail at Bob McCarthy Foundation, PO Box 301, Ellicottville, NY 14731. As they say, “a little goes a long way.” (Reminder: donations to a 501c3 are tax deductible up to 100% of your income!) If you would like to donate a basket for the raffle, there is still time. Contact Brooke Szpaicher at 716-244-7752. If you would like to bake an item, contact Katy Arena (Katy’s Café) at 716-801-2740 by November 23rd.
So, one way or another, let’s come together to celebrate the philanthropy that abounds in Ellicottville and the man who embodied that spirit. You can be certain that he will be sitting in a corner, or perched on a shelf, watching with that famous elfin Irish twinkle in his eyes and a beaming smile on his face.