In the Spirit of Christmas
In the Spirit of Christmas
Bob McCarthy Foundation continues preparations for Dec. 6th fundraiser
Photo / The Bob McCarthy Foundation
As the trees lose their leaves and the days grow shorter, the town of Ellicottville starts to shift into winter mode. Skis are tuned, summer tires are replaced, and calendars begin to fill with a plethora of holiday traditions unique to the area.
Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas, a seasonal highlight, is a hallmark of Ellicottville fun, generosity and compassion. Hosted by the Bob McCarthy Foundation, the event serves to raise funds for Santa’s Workshop and the Sheriff’s Santa Program as well as year-round programs and family support.
McCarthy, a master craftsman, the voice of Ellicottville and a friend to all, was a passionate philanthropist. He is honored each year by the community togetherness embodied by Irish Christmas, which he created. As crazy as it sounds, auctioning off baked goods, handcrafted items, and neat finds from local businesses has provided year-round funding for the many supportive programs of the Bob McCarthy Foundation. Carrying on the tradition, the event was renamed Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas after his passing in 2016 so his namesake Foundation can continue to make Christmas a little better for those less fortunate through Santa’s Workshop and the Sheriff’s Santa Program.
In our 19th year, Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas will again be held at Ellicottville Brewing Company’s Brew Hall on Friday, December 6th at 6:00pm. This venue offers plenty of room for the expected crowd but get there early so you don’t miss a single moment of the fun! Admission is of course FREE!
The traditional live auction features 10 unique auction pieces each accompanied by a home baked dessert. Again this year, there is a budget-friendly basket raffle of more than 40 locally donated gift baskets offering great gifts for those lucky raffle winners. Added this year is a silent auction with some beautiful gifts to help with your early shopping for that special someone.
Among the treasures are, believe it or not, some of Bob McCarthy’s woodworking originals, plus special creations from Ed Frederickson and other area artisans. You will be able to get a glimpse of auction items on our website and there will be a descriptive program for you at the event. All auction items are accompanied by a homemade dessert by the legion of local home chefs who pull out the family recipes to help this unique auction every year.
Following the traditional bagpipe introduction by Ellicottville’s Asa Moss, the auction itself begins at 7:00pm. Auctioneer Brooks LeFeber, with commentary from his many helpers, will have you enthralled. We guarantee there will be a bidding frenzy this year on a very special and unique Bob creation that was donated by Bob’s daughter to the auction.
Before and after the auction you can enjoy great live entertainment by Buffalo’s Crikwater along with a surprise guest. The up-tempo Irish band starts at 6:00pm. This community friendly event also has special $5 pricing on all beer and wine thanks to the generosity of EBC and the Winery of Ellicottville. Everyone comes hungry so they can enjoy “The Taste of Ireland” food specials priced at $5 as EVL’s finest restaurants Dina’s EBC, Katy’s Café, Madigan’s, The Silver Fox, and Villaggio show their support to this special cause. In the community spirit, food and drink at this outstanding event will not make a dent in your holiday budget.
If you have never attended this great party, you are missing what most describe as the best party in Ellicottville! This is a great way to kick off the Christmas season, enjoying a cocktail with your friends. If you would like to bake an item for the auction, contact Katy Arena of Katy’s Café at 716-801-2740 by Thursday, November 21st. If you would like to donate a basket for the basket raffle, contact Brooke Szpaicher at 716-244-7752.
The Foundation hopes that Ellicottville will open its heart again, and if you cannot attend the in-person event, you can donate directly at www.bobmccarthyfoundation.com/donate or via the mail at Bob McCarthy Foundation, PO Box 301, Ellicottville, NY 14731. A little goes a long way! Follow the news in this publication for more details in the coming weeks.