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Past Events (continued)

2005

The My Brother's Keeper — J.P. Blase Cooke Center
Ground Breaking Celebration!
September 17, 2005
10:30 a.m.

For several years we have dreamed and prayed for this day. God has blessed us and has brought us to this next phase of our ministry here in Irvington. We want to share this day and event with you, our friends and supporters. Please consider joining us as we celebrate and look to the future.

The ground breaking will take place on September 17th 2005 beginning at 10:30AM. Please consider joining us on the corner of Frederick and Augusta Avenue in the heart if Irvington. Following the ground breaking join us for some light refreshments and meet the My Brother's Keeper family.

Parking will be available on the parking lot of Mount Saint Joseph High School one block from our site. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you.

There will be a tent set up in the event of rain.

Please join us on this special day. Please respond by e-mail to Father Mike Murphy at fathermike@mybrotherskeeperbaltimore.org if you plan on being in attendance or if you have any questions regarding the ground breaking.

A Salute to Blase Cooke
Fundraiser for My Brother's Keeper
Martin's West, Woodlawn, MD
April 27, 2005

On April 27th nearly one thousand people gathered at Martin's West in Woodlawn to celebrate Blase Cooke CEO of Harkins Builders. This gathering in Blase's honor was a night to truly remember. It's rare when you can gather people in one room and everyone be in agreement. But this night there was no one who would disagree with why we all were there. 

For so many years now Blase has been a person consumed with serving and helping others. His love of family and God is so apparent in this quiet humble man. So on April 27th we gathered to celebrate and salute Blase in what was a major surprise to him. Blase was not expecting all the guests that came out that night — when he saw the room with so many tables set up he was stunned and simply uttered "oh my God." 

The celebration drew many who wanted to give thanks, from Cardinals and Bishops to Governors. It was clear the scope and range of lives Blase had touched. The night was filled with many laughs and thanks, sometimes at Blase's behalf. Phil Cooke, Blase's brother, provided not only some great stories but a walk down memory lane using video and music. 

The event was to celebrate Blase but also to raise awareness of the ministry of My Brother's Keeper which is located in the Irvington community. Irvington is located in southwest Baltimore and the community where Blase was born. His love for this community continues to this day. While the neighborhood may not be the same as it was in his youth, it is still home to him even after being away from it for some years now. Blase never forgot where he came from. 

The money raised on April 27th is going towards the construction of a new building for My Brother's Keeper. In Blase's honor the new building will be named for him, My Brother's Keeper-J.P.Blase Cooke community center. As of the night of the event 550,000 dollars was raised towards the new building. To date we have raise 650,000 dollars with our goal being one million dollars.

Take a few moments to look at the pictures from the night and reminisce if you were able to be there, or simply see how wonderful the night was. 

We invite you to take a look at our site and learn about our work and ministry. Perhaps you would consider being a part of our ministry through prayer and financial support. We hope you enjoy our site.

Committee Members for this event:

Mr. Michael Andrews
Mr. Richard Berndt - Gallagher,Evelius & Jones
Mr. Andrew Clark
Mr. Philip Cooke
Mr. William Franey - Franey,Muha,Alliant
Mr. Michael Batza - Heritage Properties
Mr. David Carney - Reese and Carney
Mr. Benjamin Civiletti - Venable, Baetjer, Howard & Civiletti
Mr. Barry Fitzpatrick - Principal Mount Saint Joseph High School
Mr. Stephen Geppi - Diamond Comics
Mr. Lou Grasmick - Louis J. Grasmick Lumber Company, INC
Ms. Dorothy D. Harkins
Mr. Earl Linehan - Woodbrook Capital
Reverend Michael A. Murphy - Chair-Board of Directors, My Brother's Keeper
Mr. Theo C. Rodgers - A&R Development Corporation
Mr. Edward St. John - MIE Properties
Mr. John P. Healy - Anchor Title Company
Mr. John M. McMahon - Miller and Long Company
Mr. John Paterakis Sr. - H&S Bakery
Mr. Michael Ruck, Sr. - Ruck Funeral Home, Inc
Ms. Joan B. Van Tuyl - Harkins Builders

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