On Friday November 7th, GOAL USA celebrated 20 years of operations in the US at the GOAL New York Ball at the Ciprani on Wall St. The Ball was a sell-out event and lived up to its reputation as one of the best nights on the New York social calendar.

GOAL Founder and CEO John O'Shea, who flew in from the Ireland for the event said; “The support shown for GOAL on the night was phenomenal, especially given the financial turmoil that’s been so prevalent in recent times. It’s humbling to see that people’s love for the poorest of the poor is still as strong as ever.” 

A staggering $850,000 was raised from the evening and as all events costs were covered by sponsors, the money will go to those who need it most - the poor and most vulnerable in our world.

Leslie Buckley of Digicel, who had also flown in from Ireland for the event called it “an absolutely fantastic success... a great evening with enormous energy in the room - and in the current economic climate an overwhelming result.”

GOAL aids the poorest of the poor and those affected by natural and man made disasters in 11 countries across the developing world. GOAL strives to bring the basic needs and rights of life such as food, water, shelter, health and education to those who find themselves in desperate situations through no fault of their own.

The fundraising evening included a cocktail hour followed by a gourmet three course meal, a live and silent auction and what has become for many guests, the key moment of the evening - a chance to bid directly on a project in the developing world.

This year's “special” project was providing water and sanitation in schools in Calcutta. In less than 5 minutes, the auction style round of bidding had raised $205,000 - enough money to provide a drinking water supply, bathroom and sanitation facilities in 30 schools for 12,000 children and their communities! This is part of a larger integrated to provide water and sanitation facilities for 700 schools - approximately 280,000 children!

The most striking part of the evening for GOAL organizers was the overwhelming vote of support from GOAL followers in the US. Many of these work in finance, or in real estate – two of the industries that have been savaged by the financial crisis.

It seems then, that individuals and companies really do care deeply about those who are suffering most in our world. While losing jobs and bonuses is hitting people hard in New York, it seems that many perhaps still recognize that they are lucky to have those basic needs and rights of life - food, water, health, education and shelter - that are all too often denied those in the developing world.

GOAL keeps its administration costs exceptionally low, which means that the money raised from the Ball will have the maximum possible impact on the lives of those in the developing world.

GOAL would like to thank our Dinner Chair, Leslie Buckley of Digicel with co-Chairs Ned Cloonan of AIG, Paul Galligan of ICAP, Ian Hyland of Business and Finance Magazine, Heather James of Federal Street Partners LLC. GOAL would like to extend a special thank you to Tom Bryant of Digicel.