On April 18, 1999, Mamre, Inc., the fundraising organization for SPRED that works to raise money for education and salaries for SPRED workers, held its Eleventh Annual Dinner Dance Fundraiser.

Father James McCarthy and His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George at the recent  MAMRE Dinner Dance, one of the annual fundraising efforts to help finance the SPRED program.

Chicago's Francis Cardinal George attended the gala event, and commented on the outstanding work of Mamre and SPRED in his July 18th column in the New World.

In his column, Cardinal George shared his observations of SPRED's important service to so many persons with developmental disabilities and shed light on the story behind "Mamre" itself.