As the trees turn bare and the days grow shorter, the town of Ellicottville shifts into winter mode. Boots are broken out, summer tires are replaced, and calendars begin to fill with a plethora of lovely holiday traditions unique to the area. Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas, a seasonal highlight, is a hallmark of Ellicottville generosity and compassion. Hosted by the Bob McCarthy Foundation, the event serves to raise funds for Santa’s Workshop and the Cattaraugus County Sheriffs’ Santa Program as well as year-round family support.
McCarthy, a master craftsman, the voice of Ellicottville and a friend to all was a passionate philanthropist, is honored each year by the community togetherness embodied by Irish Christmas. The auctioning of baked goods, hand-crafted items, and neat finds from local businesses allow both Santa’s Workshop and the Sheriff’s Department’s Santa Program to provide holiday presents and meals to local families in need.
This year, Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas will be LIVE. “In light of the pandemic,” the event went virtual for the last two years. Families through this time were even more in need of a little holiday happiness. The Foundation hopes that Ellicottville will open its heart and donate at www.bobmccarthyfoundation.com/donate or via the mail at Foundation, PO Box 101, Ellicottville, NY 14731. A little goes a long way!
More than 15 live auction pieces will be on display at the Live event at EBC in Ellicottville. This year we are adding a basket raffle that will provide great gifts for those lucky winners.
Among the treasures are, believe it or not, some original Bob McCarthy woodworking originals and special creations from Ed Frederickson, Hughey Dunn & others. Each item will be on display from November 27th through December 9th, on our website and there will be a program at the event as well. All auction items are accompanied by a home-made baked item.
The auction itself will take place on Friday, December 9th at 7 PM in the new beer hall at EBC. hosted by Brooks Lefeber with commentary from his many helpers😊. Great live entertainment will start at 6:00 PM so come early. Follow the news in this publication for more details in the coming weeks.
If you would like to bake an item for the baked goods auction, contact Katy Arena of Katy’s Café at 716-801-2740 by Thursday, November 26th.