NEW YORK – The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation recently visited the St. Joseph’s Boys’ School in Derry, Northern Ireland, one of the schools on the Loukoumi International Good Deed Council.

“It was an amazing visit as the Loukoumi Good Deed Bus traveled Derry, starting with a beautiful mass in St. Eugene’s Cathedral followed by a meeting with Derry Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr,” said Loukoumi Foundation Founder, President and Executive Director Nick Katsoris. “We presented her with a Loukoumi Make A Difference Award for the City of Derry and she presented an award to St. Joseph’s for all their good deeds.”

The Good Deed Bus then traveled to the Ardnashee special education school where students from St. Joseph’s played soccer (football) with students of Ardnashee winning 9-8.

The next stop was to the Irish School, Naiscoil and Gaiscoil Eadain Mahoir, where St. Joseph’s presented backpacks with stationery and school supplies for the students and were treated to some wonderful Irish singing, dancing and a very special harp solo.

“Then it was off to the Foyle Hospice where we received a wonderful tour and students helped the hospice with needed activities, brought toiletries to donate and a care package for the staff as an expression of thanks,” Katsoris said. “Special thanks to Principal Ciara Deane, Ciara McCallion, Robbie Deane, Fiona Harrigan Stewart, Paul Quigley, Lisa Grant and her husband and all the wonderful students for an amazing and memorable visit.”

Pope John Paul II Award

The Foundation thanked Bishop Donal McKeown, Father Paul Farren and the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre for presenting Loukoumi Foundation President Nick Katsoris and Advisory Board Member Patrick O’Connor with the Pope John Paul II Award. The Foundation also thanked them for “all their warm and wonderful hospitality during our visit to Derry Northern Ireland with our Loukoumi Good Deed Council School, the St Joseph’s Boys’ School.”

On Day 3, the Loukoumi Foundation delegation traveled with the students to Belfast, Northern Ireland, for a performance of the award-winning musical ‘Come From Away,’ a proud Loukoumi Foundation partner. St. Joseph’s is proud to serve on the Loukoumi International Good Deed Council with Gander Elementary School with Gander Newfoundland Canada being the town featured in ‘Come From Away.’

The Loukoumi Foundation then traveled to the south for a beautiful day at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. “Thank you Sister Magdalena Fitzgibbon and Liz McConnell for a wonderful visit,” Katsoris said. “Thank you to former Fordham Law School Dean John Feerick for introducing us. Amazing history, stunning landscape, a very special place.”

More information is available online: https://www.loukoumifoundation.org.