Shamrock Association Music Events Raise $14,000 for MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet

In Poughkeepsie, The Shamrock Association, a social club with a history of veteran members, has made a significant contribution to MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet, an organization dedicated to assisting veterans. The donation amounts to $14,000, raised through a collaborative effort involving a series of 12 concerts held across Dutchess County. These events not only celebrated local musical talent but also served a greater cause, culminating around Veterans Day.

Generosity Through Music

The recent funds were handed over by Al Nowak, the President of the Shamrock Association and a recognized photographer. The MHA Dutchess leadership, comprising CEO Andrew O’Grady and Vet2Vet Director Alyssa Carrion, gratefully accepted the donation. On Location Studios, Waverly Pest Control, and Shamrock Association members also backed the initiative financially.

CEO O’Grady emphasized the timely nature of the donation, as the organization has experienced an increase in veterans seeking support, partly due to the opening of a new Veterans One-Stop in Pleasant Valley. The concert series was initially envisioned by David Laffin, a former president of the Shamrock Association, whose love for music and determination to help veterans shaped this creative fundraising approach.

Community and Commitment

The Shamrock Association's origins stem from a group of World War II veterans, symbolizing their unity and fortune through the club's name. This tradition remains strong, with the club's current members and local musicians embodying this spirit, especially seen during the fundraisers which coincided with Veterans Day. The sentiment is shared by Alyssa Carrion who appreciates the notion of using music to unify and support veterans in need.

Following health concerns that prevented Laffin from leading this year, other community members like Al Nowak and musician Mike LaFalce stepped in to ensure the success of the concert series. With his business, Four Maples Fish, LaFalce dedicated considerable effort alongside his wife to the cause, demonstrating the community's commitment to supporting veterans.

Nowak expressed profound satisfaction, noting the surge in concert attendance and the unification of the local music scene for a noble purpose. All the proceeds from these concerts directly benefit local veterans and their families through the MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet program.

Laffin, though absent in person, was present in spirit, keeping in touch with the events via live streams, texts, and photos. He expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation for the community’s generosity, echoing his father’s teachings on helping those in need. The success of these concerts signaled a coming together of 'good-hearted people', culminating in a sense of a 'Rock and Roll Family' as Laffin fondly described.

concert, donation, veterans