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St. Vincent de Paul holds fundraiser pep rally
By Ambria Hammel, ahammel@catholicsun.org
September 4, 2008
Even though the weakening economy has likely affected many Catholics to some extent, that doesn’t eliminate the call to help their brothers and sisters in need.
It only elevates it.
More than 80 community leaders who attended the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s pre-party at Camelback Golf Club Aug. 28 understand that.
The event served as a reminder of the daily struggles many people face in the Valley. It also served as a way of building support for the agency’s community action breakfast this November. The breakfast fundraiser raises more than $500,000 annually.
“Are things out there tougher than ever? Yes,” said John Junker, president and CEO of the Fiesta Bowl and the evening’s key speaker.
“Are there reasons not to do it? Sure,” Junker said of supporting the agency.
But the Church calls Catholics to use their God-given gifts to make the world the place God intended it to be, he added.
That’s what St. Vincent de Paul does. It relies on doctors and nurses to care for the poor and uninsured, cooks to prepare 3,300 meals in five dining rooms daily for those who might otherwise go hungry and 6,000 other regular volunteers that operate the agency.
“We do wonderful things here,” said Steve Zabilski, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul, “but we do none of it without your love, without your support.”
That’s why leaders who attended the pre-party will spend the next several months encouraging others to tour the facility, meet its clients, get involved in one of its family service projects or find other ways to support the organization.
Anita Hatch-Miller is one of them.
“When you go down there, you see the dignity and respect they have for the clients,” she said, “you’re drawn to participate.”
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