Welcome to the Notre Dame Club of Buffalo/Western New York online community!
President's Message
Just as the students have finished the school year, our club has completed another terrific year. We all eagerly welcome our new President Randy Fahs as he assumes his office. He brings to the position the perspective of both an alumnus and a proud parent; Randy and Margaret’s daughter Maria is a member of the class of 2014.
We concluded our version of the school year by celebrating Universal Notre Dame Night. A large contingent of our club came together at the Buffalo Yacht Club to talk about our alma mater, listen to Assistant Director for International Admissions Rubén de Jesús C. Medina inspire us with news of ND’s efforts at earning her place in the international arena, and to honor Bob Drajem as this year’s recipient of the Person of the Year Award.
No one has had more influence on my life as a member of the alumni than has Bob. Indeed, it is Bob I thank for the opportunity to serve on our club’s board. Bob’s influence is everywhere. Much of our volunteer efforts have Bob behind them leading us with his quiet but determined resolution. He nearly single-handedly sponsored all of our actives for the Hesburgh Month of Service, and he is behind several of this summer’s opportunities to demonstrate our sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good. Under his leadership, our Fighting Irish Fighting Cancer team will represent the Irish in The Komen Walk/Race for the cure of breast cancer on the morning of Saturday, June 11th; The Ride for Roswell on Saturday, June 25th; and, Bat for the Cure on Sunday, June 26th. We encourage everyone to join us and you can learn more on this web site.
As I often found myself at this time of year during my student days, I am left to wonder where the time has gone. Thanks to the unfailing and patient support of our board and my predecessors Mark and Katie, I thoroughly enjoyed my time as President of our great club and I stand in awe of those who managed terms in excess of one year. We have so many active members that it took me two years to truly understand what everyone does. I am thrilled that our successor Randy has already embraced the effort needed to lead us into the future.
Please pay attention to our website and our emails as we post the details of our summer gatherings. Just to name three more, we have our ND party at the Buffalo Bisons game on Sunday June 26th (the same day as Bat for the Cure), our summer golf outing on July 7th, and our annual freshmen sendoff later in August.
I wish you and your families a warm summer and I look forward to seeing you soon.
In Notre Dame,
Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. '87
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Latest Club News
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The Senior Alumni are volunteering to help the Ladies of Charity fill gift bags for needy families on Tuesdays and Thursdays after Thanksgiving until Christmas. The dates are:
11/29 and 12/1
12/6 and 12/8, and
12/13 and 12/15
We usually work in am or pm shifts, for 2-3 hours, whatever works for you, beginning at 10am through 3pm.
The Ladies of Charity are located at 1122 Broadway (across the street and not far from the Broadway Market)
Call Mike Neumeister at 662-3820(h) or 662-3910(w) so he knows who/when people are coming, as the room holds about 6 people/shift.
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Congratulations to Jim Schultz '79! He is the lucky winner of the two tickets to the ND/USC game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 22, 2011. Each year the club raffles off two tickets to members who pay their membership dues by April 30th. Jim was drawn at random from all eligible members at the ND Board Meeting on May 26, 2011. Jim - thanks for paying your dues like a champion today!
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Our club organizes several service projects and volunteer opportunities throughout the Buffalo and Western New York area. If you would be interested in joining the Fightin' Irish as we fight hunger, poverty, and disease, please e-mail Bob Drajem at rdrajem@roadrunner.com or call him at 854-8170. Helping even once a year would be great. We are hoping to augment our current volunteer list with new helpers.
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Notre Dame Senior Alumni - God, Country, Notre Dame Scholarship Link:
http://www.ndsenioralumni.org/GCND_Programs.php#VA4
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