Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
of the Jersey Shore

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore continued their tradition of supporting college bound students of Irish descent by awarding $25,000 in grants to 25 deserving graduates. 

Nearly 200 applicants from twenty one different high schools in Monmouth and Ocean County applied for the Brother Peter Mannion Memorial Grants.  

Despite schools closing prematurely and the cancellation of the Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Black Tie Dinner due to the pandemic, the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick stayed true to their mission of funding these grants despite suffering some financial hardships. Through the efforts of outgoing President Kevin Dwyer, many would be attendees and sponsors graciously contributed their dinner fees to help fund the Grants Program. 

The Grants are made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick-Jersey Shore Annual Black Tie Dinner and Program Journal, the  annual FSSP Golf Outing at Manasquan River Country Club in August, corporate donations and other events. 

FSSP Foundation President Patrick Sheridan noted, “We’re pleased that the good work we do with our fundraising events allows us to distribute these grants to a group of talented and deserving students as they head off to college.  Over the years, the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick have awarded over $700,000 in aid to local area high school graduates of Irish heritage.”

The students were selected by the organization’s Grant Committee according to Chairman Mike Dunphy. “We reviewed applications from some incredibly talented and well-rounded students. Each committee member reviewed every application and we had to make some difficult decisions to select this year’s grant winners. “

Normally the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick would host the Grant winners and families at a Doolan’s Shore Club Grant Dinner, but the current climate of social distancing made that impossible. 

“We’ll miss presenting the checks at our annual ceremony, but we wish all of our winners the best of luck and future success, ”noted Dunphy.

The 25 Brother Peter Mannion Grant recipients are from 21 high schools: Biotechnology, Brick Memorial, Central regional, Christian Brothers Academy, Colts Neck, Communications, Donovan Catholic, Manalapan, Manasquan, MAST, Middletown North, Neptune, New Egypt, Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant Borough, Red Bank Catholic, St. John Vianney, St. Rose, Southern Regional, Trinity Hall, and Wall.