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Irish American Cultural Institute
Central New York Chapter
Sponsor/Treasurer - Sheila Comerford
Note Card Designs
Photographs by Dr. John Comerford
"Gap of Dunloe" |
"Inch Strand" |
"Cobh o' Cork" |
"Coumeenoole" |
"Ardmore Round Tower" |
"Poulnabrone Dolmen" |
"Glendalough" |
"Ballybur Castle" |
"Irish Cottage" |
"Irish Traffic Jam" |
Q: What were the highlights of your
fundraiser?
A: After making many
trips to Ireland, IACI Central NY Chapter member Dr. John Comerford and his wife Sheila,
the Chapter treasurer, used his scenic photographs of Ireland as cover designs for note
cards. They raised over $1,500 to help fund the group's Irish Way Scholarship Fund,
Irish Connection TV Program, and Perception Series.
Q: How did you promote sales of your
variety card packages?
A: A local newspaper
article highlighted the couple's experiences while searching for their Irish roots, and
told how to purchase variety card packages of photos taken on their Irish trips.
"The article touched the hearts of many people. They cut it out, sent it to
relatives, and I had people writing me from AZ, AR, and MI!," said Comerford.
Full color order forms were inserted into the Chapter newsletter and the fundraiser was
featured in the National newsletter. Comerford sold the card packages at a variety
of IACI events and set up a sales booth at the Northeastern Irish Feis, held at the NY
State Fairgrounds. "I even sold them at the grocery and dry cleaners out of
the back of my car!"
Comerford at the Northeastern Irish Feis
Q: Have you experienced any residual
sales?
A: "As a matter of
fact, we have. A year after our original effort, people see me out and about and
still ask me if they can order more cards. I tell them 'of course,' and when I get
home I call Mountain Color and order more! One residual stands out from the rest
however: a fellow received a card of Ballybur Castle, called Mountain Color's 800 number
from the back of the card, and asked if he could order just that design. They
happily obliged, and he subsequently bought $400 worth of that design. The best part
is, they took care of the whole thing and mailed us a check for $200 (our $5
profit/package) within the month. We never expected anything like that!"
"In
addition to adding money to our Chapter treasury, this fundraiser touched the hearts of
many people. Most Irish Americans never get to travel to Ireland, yet through these
scenic photocards Ireland was brought to them." - Dr. John and Sheila Comerford, IACI
CNY Chapter, Syracuse, NY
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