CHILDREN FROM NORTHERN IRELAND TO ARRIVE AT MSP AIRPORT TODAY!

Minneapolis, MN – June 26, 2008 - CPNI children will be arriving at the MSP airport this Thursday, June 26 at 3:34pm on American Flight #441. American host families and children will meet on the Mezzanine level at the Lindbergh terminal. The children and their American host families will be participating in the Summer 2008 Program - our 36th year of delivering a lifetime of memories!

Media are invited to cover this exciting event this afternoon where boys and girls from Northern Ireland, ages 10-12, will look forward to five weeks of unique experiences, new foods, customs and activities.

DATE: June 26, 2008

TIME: 3:30pm

LOCATION: MSP Airport, Lindbergh Terminal * Mezzanine level

FLIGHT: AA#441

The children will have opportunities to come together over the course of their stay, giving them the chance to share and discuss what they have experienced and learned with each other. One such event, the Cross Community Event, will be held at Dodge Nature Center on Wednesday, July 16th. These and other activities will align with our overall program goals of building stronger cross-community understanding and tolerance, and the opportunity for establishing meaningful relationships between the exchange/host families and their Irish visitors.

There will be many life-lasting experiences these children and their families will take with them well beyond this summer. So, even though the children must return to Northern Ireland on Monday, August 4th, they and their host families will take with them fond memories they will share with family and friends for years to come.

CPNI GEARS UP FOR 2009!

Minneapolis, MN – May 29, 2008 - The Children’s Program of Northern Ireland is scaling back their summer 2008 program. The cross-community program this summer is moving forward, but with a smaller group of children and host families. While CPNI regrets having to scale back this year’s program due to current economic challenges in Northern Ireland and the U.S., increasing airline costs and overall operating cost increases, CPNI is excited about our 2009 program and providing Minnesota families an opportunity to share in an amazing experience.

CPNI plans to re-focus its 36-year program so that it continues to address the changing needs in today’s Northern Ireland as well as providing rich cultural opportunities for the American host families. Program goals will include building stronger cross-community understanding and tolerance, creating better opportunity for establishing deeper, meaningful relationships with the exchange/host families.

Host families and participating children in Northern Ireland will be identified and confirmed through our long-standing and proven interview process. Our goal early on is to establish relationships up front and a communication exchange pen-pal program with the Minnesota families prior to the Northern Irish children arriving.

CPNI is actively seeking families for our 2009 program. As a non-profit organization, we continue to provide fundraising ideas and opportunities for host families here in the U.S. and recruit both corporate and individual donors for scholarships/sponsorships. Please contact us for more information at 651-405-1108 or email us at cpni@cpni.org.

2008 CPNI Calendar Raffle Winners!

Congratulations to all 366 2008 CPNI Calendar Raffle winners! Unless noted, all winners will receive a check for $20. Checks will be issued at the end of each month for that month's winners. If you prefer to donate your winnings to CPNI, please email us at cpni@cpni.org. Thank you for your support of CPNI's calendar fundraiser!

Photo Gallery

We have great photos of the kids from several years, which are now posted. Click here for the photo gallery.

Visit us again soon!