More than 300 hundred revelers gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington’s West End for A Capital Evening XI to benefit the John S. Mulholland Family Foundation on Friday evening, November 22, 2024. The Gala is JSM’s single fundraising event of the year to support our work serving the food insecure, working poor of Washington, DC.
A silent auction, cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres preceded the call to dinner, which featured a sumptuous three course dinner prepared by the hotel’s celebrated culinary team, with accompanying wines, at tables adorned by Caruso Florist, the Mulholland Family florist for more than six decades. The guests were serenaded by Robin and Rick Gordon’s Radio King Orchestra, as well as an interlude of traditional ballads from Ireland’s own Brian Gaffney.
Special guests included Ciara Delaney, COO of the Embassy of Ireland and personal representative of the Ambassador, who was called from Washington in important State business unexpectedly. Mrs. Delaney spoke eloquently of the common bond of our two Nations in service to the poor. Additionally, Dick Burke, President of the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Orleans was recognized for his organization’s support of both JSM and St. Michael’s Special School.
Fr. Thomas M. Kalita was the recipient of the 2024 John S. Mulholland Lifetime Achievement Award for his half century of preaching and living the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46 and inspiring thousands to do so as well. JSM President S. Patrick Mulholland received The President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President of the United States.
The keynote address was delivered by JSM Founder and Chairman of the Board, Brian M. Mulholland (see video of his entire remarks here) as well as a call to action.
But the highlight of the evening was the dancing, the conversation, and the sheer joy present in the room, as old friends and new friends gathered for this annual celebration and commitment to serving the poor among us.
A Capital Evening XII will return to the Ritz-Carlton Washington on November 21, 2025.
