The Charitable Irish Society, the oldest Irish society in the Americas, hosted its 19th Silver Key Awards Reception on Dec. 6, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston’s Copley Square.
Irish Hearts organizer Winnie Henry, Irish International Immigrant Center director Ronnie Millar, and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh were awarded the Society’s Silver Keys in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Irish community.
The award is conferred annually upon individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication in helping new immigrants, and the proceeds from the annual reception are used to underwrite the work of the Charitable Irish Society in helping individual immigrants on an “as-needed basis.”
Since its founding in 1737, the Society has been able to provide aid and assistance to newly arrived Irish immigrants in the Boston area as they face the multiple challenges of adjusting to and assimilating into a new city and country. Consistent with the Irish traditions of hospitality and charity, the Society has expanded its focus to include immigrants from other countries in addition to those from Ireland.
Individual reservations are available for $125 per person, and sponsorship are available from $500 to $2,500.