Harp and Shamrock - The Bob Reeder Fan Club

Helping Children

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The Harp and Shamrock, the Bob Reeder Fan Club, Inc. was started by loyal fans of Bob Reeder. For many years, they have appreciated the music, fun and fellowship of his performances. Wanting to share the fun with others, they approached Bob with a proposal about forming a fan club. "Bob was resistive at first, "said Kathy Murphy, the founding President. "He is basically humble, and felt he didn't deserve a club. He only agreed if we could help others in some way." He also wanted the charity funds to be primarily for children. After many late night meetings, the vision emerged of a fan club that would support Irish music in the Kansas City community while promoting charity activities. Our mission wording says it all: The Harp and Shamrock, the Bob Reeder Fan Club promotes Irish music, fun and fellowship and supports various charity activities in our community with special consideration given to hearing impaired children. Our Mission Statement summarizes: “Helping Children to Hear Through Irish Music.” The Club is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity and a Missouri not-for-profit tax exempt corporation.

In a "snug" booth at O'Dowd's Little Dublin on August 27, 1997, the charter meeting was held with eleven members. Officers were elected, and the by-laws were approved. The Club was on its way. In 2008 the Club now has over 350 members in ten states and four continents. Members receive a club T-shirt, a membership card signed by Bob, and the opportunity to participate in all club activities including our St. Patrick's Day parade float and our fund raising booths. We have placed in the top three categories for organizations in the last three years in the annual KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Often some of the children and parents ride on the float. Club member meetings are held every month. Check the Club Voice Mail line for time and place. (1-888-213-6949)

The Club's main charity is the Hearing Aid Fund at the Children's Mercy Hospital Hearing and Speech Clinic. Seven Celtic Music Benefits have been held and over Ninety (90) children have received hearing aids from the proceeds in the past ten (10) years. Many wonderful local Irish musicians have generously donated their time and talents to this event. The Club's booths at local Irish Festivals, both the KC Fest and the Weston, are also fundraisers for Children's Mercy. Dr. Cynthia Jacobsen, Director of the Children's Mercy Hearing and Speech Clinic, and her staff often assist in the effort by helping staff the booths. The loyal membership is always present with many of them working several shifts. Kathy Murphy stood by the stage at one event and said, "Isn't this really what life is about? What more could a person hope for than to help others through the gift of Irish Music? I am so blessed and thankful for the wonderful members and supporters. What a great KC Irish community we have”

To join the Club, call the Club’s voice mail at 1-888-213-6949 which also has Bob’s performance schedule on it twenty-four (24) hours a day. You can also PRINT OUT the application form on this site and MAIL it in with your check. Take a moment to look through our photos on the links below.

For more information about Bob go to his web site on the LINK at the bottom of this page or go to www.bobreeder.com

President:

Vice President:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Member At Large:

Community Representative:

Kathy Murphy

Brian Greenstreet

Diane Price

Mylinda Gomez

Open

Mike Sager

Dr. Charles B. Wheeler

Back Row L to R: Daniel Alley, Mike Sager, Dr. Charles B. Wheeler, Mylinda Gomez

Front Row L to R: Kathy Murphy, Diane Price, Former VP Linda Enlow

Meetings are monthly

At the KC Public House at the first break

888-213-6949

You can check Bob's performance schedule and

other information by calling the Info Line.

Special News and Events: Late August, September 2008 and Beyond

Reminder : This weekend is the 2008 KC Irish Fest (August 29th to the 31st at Crown Center) Go to http://www.kcirishfest.com/ for more information. The Harp and Shamrock will have our booth there for Children's Mercy with our famous duck pond. Our new booth location will be in Washington Park.

Our wonderful Mascot, Bob Reeder will play at the Fest on Saturday, August 30th on the Atrium stage from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Come down for a fun time and show Bob our support. Wear your Club shirt.

Emerald Autumn on Saturday, September 13th at 7 PM at William Chrisman High School. $10 admission. This is fund raiser for the Independence Lion's Club for the blind. Performers include Bob Reeder, Eddie Delahunt, the Pipes and Drums of Ararat, and The Irish Brigade-Missouri's 7th and 30th Irish Regiments color guard. Go to http://www.emeraldautumn.com for more information.

The Weston Irish Fest October 10th-12th in Weston, Missouri. Go to http://www.westonirish.com/IRISHFEST.html for more information. If you would like to volunteer go to http://www.westonirish.com/volunteerchart.htm

An application for the 2008 Weston Wellies Race on Sunday AM on October 12th at the Weston Fest can now be downloaded below. LOOK for the boots. Just finish the 1.5 mile course wearing "wellies" and get a chance to win a trip for two to Ireland. You also have an opportunity to purchase discount tickets in advance to the Weston Irish Fest (http://www.westonirish.com/) WITH your application. The proceeds for the Wellies Race go the Harp and Shamrock for the Children's Mercy Hospital Hearing Aid Fund. Watch the wellie's race website at www.welliesrace.com in the months ahead. You can down load an application from there also. Our thanks to the founding co-sponsors Celtic Ranch and Midwest Irish Focus and the eight other sponsors.

· Time is approaching for the Harp and Shamrock's Annual Celtic Music Benefit!! PLEASE Save Saturday, November 8th for our 8th Annual Harp and Shamrock Celtic Music Event for Children's Mercy Hospital Hearing Aid Fund. Entertainment includes Bob Reeder, Eddie Delahunt, John Morris, opening Anthems by Rob Gavin, the Pipes and Drums of Ararat and the Elders! Call me at (816-365-1827) if you would like to donate an auction item and we will be sure we get your name/organization in the program and a tax letter.

Go to http://www.irishmusicawards.com/ to find out about the upcoming Irish Music Awards ceremony in January 2009 sponsored by the Irish Music Association and to place a nomination.

Monthly Club Meetings are the third Tuesday of the Month at the KC Public House at the first break. To check for updates of Bob’s performance schedule call 1-888-213-6949. To book Bob for performances call 816-699-9950.

CHECK FOR $10,865 TO CHILDREN’S MERCY HEARING AID FUND

H&S Check 2007edit

On December 20, 2007 the Harp and Shamrock presented a check to Children’s Mercy Hospital for $10,865 for Hearing and Speech Clinic Hearing Aid Fund.
Shown here (L to R) Kathy Murphy(President), Mike (Board member) and Claire Sager, Daniel Alley(Board member), Diane Price(Secretary), Bob Reeder (Mascot), Dr. Cynthia Jacobsen(Director of Hearing and Speech Clinic-CMH)
Other Board of Directors that were not able to make this photo shoot are Linda Enlow(Vice-President), Mylinda Gomez(Treasurer), and Dr. Charles Wheeler (Board Member)
The Harp and Shamrock is a 501 (c) (3) charity devoted to " Helping Children to Hear Through Irish Music" and has wonderful support from the Kansas City Irish community. The $10,865 raised in 2007 over $2,000 more than last year. The Club raises their funds from the proceeds of their booths at Irish Festivals and the annual Celtic Music Benefit. Since 1998 local Irish musicians have been donating their time and talent at the benefit and over 50 businesses donate items for the auction. The monies will be used by the hospital to buy hearing aids for children who cannot afford them. Hearing aids are not covered by most insurance. The Club provides approximately 1/3 annually of all the free hearing aids at the CMH clinic.