Giving Back to the Community
Viva House Collections and Donations
Each year, the McHale School of Irish Dance community collects food donations to support Viva House, home of the Baltimore Catholic Worker. Families and dancers generously contribute nonperishable food items, which are delivered by Linda McHale Poggi.
Viva House serves the Baltimore community through its soup kitchen, advocacy, and outreach programs. By making this annual collection, the McHale School of Irish Dance is proud to help support Viva House’s mission of serving those in need.
Tees for Jane Campaign
In the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, the McHale School of Irish Dance rallied its community to support Jane Richard, a young Irish dancer who lost her leg in the attack that also claimed the life of her brother, Martin, and seriously injured her mother.
The school first organized a collection of cards, gifts, books, toys, and other care package items for Jane and her brother, Henry, offering comfort and encouragement during their recovery. Inspired to do more, McHale then launched the “Tees for Jane” campaign, selling commemorative T-shirts with all proceeds benefiting the Richard Family Fund.
The response was overwhelming. More than 1,000 shirts were sold to supporters across the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and beyond. By the campaign’s conclusion in 2014, McHale School of Irish Dance had raised and donated $14,600 to help support Jane and her family, demonstrating the strength and generosity of the global Irish dance community.
