BPD Gaelic Column Raises $10K for NYPD Hurricane Sandy Victims

A recent Boston Police Gaelic Column fundraiser at the Irish Social Club in West Roxbury raised raised nearly $10,000 for nine New York Police Department Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society members whose homes were destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. 

Held on Jan. 19, Boston Police Gaelic Column (bag pipers from the Boston Police Department) band members presented the donation to the victims this weekend, Jan. 27, on Sunday in person in New York.

The event drew out many local politicians, drawing more than 500 attendees, including US Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Boston, state Rep. Ed Coppinger, D-West Roxbury, Mary Mulvey Jacobson and Lord Mayor Richie Gormley. Additionally, members of the NYPD band, including Bandmaster Sgt. Brian Coughlan and Financial Secretary Sgt. Tom Nolan, were in attendance.    

"We are thrilled with the turn out at the event as well as the support and generosity," said James Barry, president of the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums. "We showed the strength of our Irish American community here in Boston to our brothers in uniform in New York in a time of need." 

To keep up-to-date with the band and its events, you can follow the band on Twitter @BPDPipesDrums or on Facebook by searching "Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums."