EYERIES NATIONAL SCHOOL FUND RAISING

I just got back from a fundraising meeting at the Eyeries National School and thought that I would write to you to see if you would be able to help the community in which Anam Cara and its residents have been so warmly welcomed.
 
As you will probably remember, Schoil Chaitigheirn is the primary school on the main road to Ardgroom; the front wall is decorated with the children's mural that Deborah Barlow, an artist in residence here, helped design and get started.  The school now has 100+ pupils in a building that was built to house a much smaller group, and there are five teachers trying to teach in a space meant for three.  Father Mossie Brick, the parish priest, and Sheila Harrington, the principal teacher, have worked very hard with many others to obtain a Department of Education grant and architectural plans to expand and modernise the current building to better meet the needs of the students and the community.  The National Government will cover the costs up to £160,000; the local community is being asked to raise 10% of the total amount needed, £16,000.
 
Tonight, in order to raise those funds, the parents set up what they are calling the Schoil Chaitigheirn 20-Week School Development Draw.  The idea is that those who want to participate will contribute the equivalent of £2.00/week ($2.50/week) for the 20 weeks or £40.00 ($50.00).  Each week starting 9 February  2001, a draw (that will include every contributor's name) will be held and prizes of £100, £30, and £20 will be awarded. 
 
If you would like to support the children and the community of Eyeries and be a part of this worthwhile fundraiser, please send your (tax-deductible, I would imagine) contribution in the form of a personal check made out to the Schoil Chaitigheirn 20-Week School Development Draw so that it reaches here by 2 February.  The address here is:
 
Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat
Eyeries, Beara
West Cork, Ireland
 
If you should win a weekly draw, I'll let you know and make sure that you get your winnings right away!  Good luck, and thank you in advance for any help you might give. 
 
I send you my best, Sue