The 2008 St. Patrick’s Day dinner and auction to benefit the special needs students of the Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover and Braintree will take place on Saturday, March 15, at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston.  The event will raise money for a “Trip of a Lifetime” to Disney World for the school’s graduating class, continuing a tradition that began in 1996.  It is a tradition, however, that nearly came to an end two years ago.  

From 1996 through 2003, the St. Patrick’s Day dinner and auction was sponsored by Abington Savings Bank, acquired by Sovereign Bank in 2003.  The Disney World trip continued to be underwritten for another three years through a foundation grant from Abington Savings Bank, but after that funding ran out in 2006, the trip seemed certain to end.  South Shore Savings Bank President and CEO John Boucher, who sits on the board of directors of the Cardinal Cushing Centers, committed the bank to sponsor the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Auction in 2007, restoring the event and ensuring the continuation of the Disney World trip.  The Bank is again the principal sponsor of the event this year. 

For information on tickets and sponsorships call Patty Allo at Cardinal Cushing Centers, at 781-829-1272 or by e-mail at pallo@coletta.org.