Harp and Shamrock - The Bob Reeder Fan Club

The Harp and Shamrock, the Bob Reeder Fan Club, Inc. was started by loyal fans of Bob Reeder. For many years, they have appreciated the music, fun and fellowship of his performances. Wanting to share the fun with others, they approached Bob with a proposal about forming a fan club. "Bob was resistive at first, "said Kathy Murphy, the founding President. "He is basically humble, and felt he didn't deserve a club. He only agreed if we could help others in some way." He also wanted the charity funds to be primarily for children. After many late night meetings, the vision emerged of a fan club that would support Irish music in the Kansas City community while promoting charity activities. Our mission wording says it all: The Harp and Shamrock, the Bob Reeder Fan Club promotes Irish music, fun and fellowship and supports various charity activities in our community with special consideration given to hearing impaired children. Our Mission Statement summarizes: “Helping Children to Hear Through Irish Music.” The Club is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity and a Missouri not-for-profit tax exempt corporation.

In a "snug" booth at O'Dowd's Little Dublin on August 27, 1997, the charter meeting was held with eleven members. Officers were elected, and the by-laws were approved. The Club was on its way. In 2008 the Club now has over 350 members in ten states and four continents. Members receive a club T-shirt, a membership card signed by Bob, and the opportunity to participate in all club activities including our St. Patrick's Day parade float and our fund raising booths. We have placed in the top three categories for organizations in the last three years in the annual KC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Often some of the children and parents ride on the float. Club member meetings are held every month. Check the Club Voice Mail line for time and place. (1-888-213-6949)

The Club's main charity is the Hearing Aid Fund at the Children's Mercy Hospital Hearing and Speech Clinic. Seven Celtic Music Benefits have been held and over Ninety (90) children have received hearing aids from the proceeds in the past ten (10) years. Many wonderful local Irish musicians have generously donated their time and talents to this event. The Club's booths at local Irish Festivals, both the KC Fest and the Weston, are also fundraisers for Children's Mercy. Dr. Cynthia Jacobsen, Director of the Children's Mercy Hearing and Speech Clinic, and her staff often assist in the effort by helping staff the booths. The loyal membership is always present with many of them working several shifts. Kathy Murphy stood by the stage at one event and said, "Isn't this really what life is about? What more could a person hope for than to help others through the gift of Irish Music? I am so blessed and thankful for the wonderful members and supporters. What a great KC Irish community we have”

To join the Club, call the Club’s voice mail at 1-888-213-6949 which also has Bob’s performance schedule on it twenty-four (24) hours a day. You can also PRINT OUT the application form on this site and MAIL it in with your check. Take a moment to look through our photos on the links below.

For more information about Bob go to his web site on the LINK at the bottom of this page or go to www.bobreeder.net

President:

Vice President:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Member At Large:

Community Representative:

Kathy Murphy

Open

Diane Price

Mylinda Gomez

Daniel Alley

Mike Sager

Dr. Charles B. Wheeler

Back Row L to R: Daniel Alley, Mike Sager, Dr. Charles B. Wheeler, Mylinda Gomez

Front Row L to R: Kathy Murphy, Diane Price, Linda Enlow

Meetings are monthly

Check the Club Voice Mail for Time and Place

888-213-6949

You can check Bob's performance schedule and

other information by calling the Info Line.

Special News and Events: Late June 2008

· For photos and videos of the Kearney Irish Fest go to kcirishmusic.com.

· Watch for updates on the October 2008 Annual Weston Wellies Race to benefit the Harp and Shamrock. There is a link below for an application.

· Remember the Browne’s 121^st Anniversary Event on June 28^thwhich is a Fund Raiser for Special Needs children. The Harp and Shamrock will have a booth there for CMH.

With the closing of Kyle’s Tap Room watch your e-mail and check the voice mail line for updates as to where the monthly Club’s Meetings will be held. To check for updates of Bob’s performance schedule call 1-888-213-6949. To book Bob for performances call 816-699-9950.

CHECK FOR $10,865 TO CHILDREN’S MERCY HEARING AID FUND

On December 20, 2007 the Harp and Shamrock presented a check to Children’s Mercy Hospital for $10,865 for Hearing and Speech Clinic Hearing Aid Fund.
Shown here (L to R) Kathy Murphy(President), Mike (Board member) and Claire Sager, Daniel Alley(Board member), Diane Price(Secretary), Bob Reeder (Mascot), Dr. Cynthia Jacobsen(Director of Hearing and Speech Clinic-CMH)
Other Board of Directors that were not able to make this photo shoot are Linda Enlow(Vice-President), Mylinda Gomez(Treasurer), and Dr. Charles Wheeler (Board Member)
The Harp and Shamrock is a 501 (c) (3) charity devoted to " Helping Children to Hear Through Irish Music" and has wonderful support from the Kansas City Irish community. The $10,865 raised in 2007 over $2,000 more than last year. The Club raises their funds from the proceeds of their booths at Irish Festivals and the annual Celtic Music Benefit. Since 1998 local Irish musicians have been donating their time and talent at the benefit and over 50 businesses donate items for the auction. The monies will be used by the hospital to buy hearing aids for children who cannot afford them. Hearing aids are not covered by most insurance. The Club provides approximately 1/3 annually of all the free hearing aids at the CMH clinic.