March 12, 2010 —   PORTSMOUTH, NH March 12 2010 – Friends Forever, a 501(c)(3) global non-partisan advocacy and awareness organization dedicated to peace, announced the 2010 Eileen Foley Award recipient, Peter Loughlin. For nearly four decades, Loughlin has engaged in tireless efforts to make the local community and the world a better place. Friends Forever is recognizing Loughlin for his dedication to improving the Seacoast of New Hampshire by transforming the local economy and supporting international peace efforts.

“The Eileen Foley Award was established to honor those members of our community that strive to make a difference. We are grateful that Peter has committed his time and energies to improving not only the Seacoast, but the broader world,” said Stephen Martineau, executive director, Friends Forever. “Friends Forever’s fundamental belief is that peace starts locally and Peter is an example of what one person can do to change the world.”

A graduate of St. Patrick's School and Notre Dame Law School, Peter was the Portsmouth City Attorney in the 1970's and is considered to be the dean of municipal lawyers in the State; including authoring 5 volumes on New Hampshire municipal law which are regularly relied upon by public officials, lawyers and judges. Peter exemplifies how one man can quietly go about making their tiny corner of the world a better place to live. He has served on the Pease Development Authority for 20 years (Vice-Chairman for the last 16 years). He is the Chairman of the Mayor's Committee on Trees and Public Greenery, a Trustee of Strawbery Banke and is a past president of the Pastoral Council at Corpus Christi Parish where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister. He is the recipient of the Rotary's Paul Harris Award (1997); the Daniel Webster Council's-Good Scout Award (1998); the Rockingham County Bar Association Professionalism Award (2003); the N.H. Bar Association Vicki Bunnell Award for Community Service (2001); the St. Thomas Moore Award (2007) and the Granite State Award (2008). Peter is also known as the "Johnny Maple Seed" of Portsmouth, having planted over 700 trees along the City's streets over the last 30 years. Peter and his wife Nancy have been married for 38 years and their 3 sons, Brendan, Garrett and Conall are the pride of their lives.

“I am honored to be recognized by Friends Forever with this incredible award. Working with the organization has been fulfilling and I am pleased that I’ve been able to contribute to its growth,” said Peter Loughlin, Esq. “Friends Forever is changing lives with their grassroots approach to world peace, giving us all the opportunity to participate.”

The Eileen Foley Award was established in 2008 to honor her lifetime of dedication to community service and global philanthropic efforts. The annual award dinner is hosted in the spirit of bringing the community together with a fun event that is led by Joe Shanley, owner of Shanley Realtors, LLC. This St. Patrick’s Day Roast combines heartwarming and comedic tributes showcasing the community’s good nature. This award ceremony is a further honor for recipients, as the individual is surrounded by friends, fans, and well-wishers, who can receive some of the same treatment as well during the course of the evening. All are welcome to attend this annual event.

When: Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Where: Community Campus
Time: 5:30 pm




Reservations are required at $100.00 per person or $1000 per table by March 12th, 2010. Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://www.friendsforeverusa.org under “Events” or by mail to Friends Forever ROAST, 31 Raynes Avenue #10, Portsmouth, NH 03801, or by phone at 603.433.7607. Checks are payable to: Friends Forever.

About Friends Forever
Friends Forever is a 501(c)(3) global non-partisan advocacy and awareness organization dedicated to peace, particularly in Ireland and Israel. Friend Forever’s members work in their local communities domestically and internationally to raise awareness and help build programming that will support these young Irish and Israeli leaders as they team to address the challenges that face their communities. The organization works closely with local experts, regional leaders and educational institutions to promote healthy communication within disparate fractions and to end violence.

Since 1986, Friends Forever has built hundreds of lasting friendships across the cultural, religious, and political divides of Northern Ireland and Israel. The organization brings together multi-faith teens to live, laugh, learn, and volunteer together in host communities in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. These youth leaders, upon completing Friends Forever's unique two-week "Life Raft" experience, return home to perpetuate tolerance in their own communities. For information please visit, http://www.friendsforeverusa.org





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