Dear Vincentians and Friends,
St. Vincent de Paul Chicago has had another blessed year! We have been able to help countless people both spiritually and with food, clothing, and financial assistance with rent, utilities, medical and transportation.
We are Blessed:
- To have Vincentian volunteers who work tirelessly daily with food pantries, holiday food drives, clothing drives, home visits, back-to-school drives, holiday toy drives, and so much more.
- To have donors who believe and support our mission to help our Friends in Need with their financial donations.
- To have dedicated central office and store staff who work hard day in and day out to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Some Highlights from 2022:
- Care Card Voucher Program.
- New Mattress Program.
- Adult & Infant Diaper Program.
- Feminine Hygiene Program.
- Chicago Furniture Bank.
- Attended a MARC event where we assisted Seniors who lost their condos and/or belongings in a Calumet City fire.
- Attended a MARC event where we assisted individuals who were affected from the tragic July 4 Highland Park Parade Shooting.
- Worked together with the City of Chicago to collect winter clothing for the South American migrants in the area.
- Scare, Care, Share Halloween Winter Coat Drive.
- Christmas Toy Drive.
- … and so much more!
We couldn’t be more thankful for all that we have. We will continue with our mission in 2023 to help our Friends in Need and to expand on what we have done this year in the hopes of offering more to our homeless community. We will continue to push to “Build a Better Tomorrow for Those In Need”.
Thank you again for what you do for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago. Whether you donate financially, or you’re an employee or a volunteer, every bit of this is what makes our organization the “special” organization that it is.
God Bless you for all you do,
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Harry Ohde
Volunteer President/CEO
SVdP Chicago, ADC
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"Ask Mike" - Our Q&A series addresses common questions Chicagoland Vincentians may have as they go about their work for the Society. Have a question? Email us at teresa@svdpchicago.org
Q: We had a discussion during our Conference meeting on this and we are not sure that we came up with the right answer. What is the difference between a volunteer and an Associate Member?
A: A volunteer is simply that. They make no commitment toward membership. They do not necessarily even approve our mission. Remember: Rule, Part III, Statute 3 says "Associate Members include those who sincerely and publicly accept the Society's Rule but may or may not belong to the Catholic Church and may or may not attend Conference meetings or engage in the works of the Society on a regular basis." Volunteers make no specific commitment, sometimes they are simply doing a requirement for charitable hours.
Q: We have recently had several situations whereby members of our Conference have set up and gone to a home visit only to find out when we arrived that the individual doesn't want us to come into his/her home. We find ourselves standing outside on the sidewalk and in one situation talking across a small parking lot. I understand that we are to be doing a home visit in the home. Being in the home also allows us to see if there are other obvious needs that we can meet, e.g. furniture, etc. Should we continue as we have done, that is, stand outside, or choose not to proceed if the person won't let us into their house.
A: Make it clear when setting the appointment that, if they really need assistance, the visit is in the home - not in the doorway. Doorways provide no privacy and do not allow for the type of interview Vincentians are to make. Also, if there are extraordinary circumstances which prevent visiting in the home, arrange to meet at another site to discuss the request for assistance. For example, on one occasion, we arranged to meet a woman at a local restaurant (where we could sit away from everyone else) because she was afraid that her husband would be angry for her asking for help.
by Mike Syslo
ADC Vice President
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Dear Friends,
On behalf of the #GivingTuesday Committee we THANK YOU our fellow Vincentians, their families, friends, and co-workers for your generous support with our 2022 Campaign.
We also would like to extend our many thanks to our "match" and raffle prize donors who also played an important part of our success. Your generosity shows the true meaning of "GivingTuesday".
Thank you all again.
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Honoring Emmett Cassidy - St. Joseph Conference in Homewood: 50 Years as a Vincentian |
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Pictured L to R: Harry Ohde, Volunteer President/CEO - SVdP Chicago Council; Emmett Cassidy, St. Joseph Conference; and Mike Lamb, District XII President. |
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Pictured above are Emmett Cassidy and his wife, Elaine. |
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50 years. One-half century. Thousands of Friends in Need.
The SVdP Chicago Council recently honored Emmet Cassidy, from the St. Joseph Conference in Homewood, Illinois, for his 50 years as a Vincentian.
In that time Emmett has helped several thousand people who were hungry, homeless, in need of clothing, and challenged by addictions.
In November, Harry Ohde, Volunteer President/CEO of the Chicago Council, presented Emmet with a plaque recognizing his legacy as a Vincentian and a statue set depicting St. Vincent.
The District XII Council, represented by Mike Lamb, also presented Emmet with the Society's 175th anniversary medallion and accompanying book to commemorate Emmet's impact in the South Suburbs. Emmet recently took on the role as President Emeritus and remains active and engaged in helping neighbors in need with the next generation of Vincentians in his Conference."
Congratulations Emmett and God Bless You for 50 Years of being an active Vincentian with the St. Vincent de Paul Chicago Council and St. Joseph Conference.
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Harry Ohde
Volunteer President/CEO
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago-ADC
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Are You About to Celebrate 50 Years as a Vincentian? |
Seeking any and all Vincentians who will be celebrating 50 years as a Vincentian. We would like to recognize you for your service and time given to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Please email teresa@svdpchicago.org so we can talk!
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District President Spotlight: Kevin Fahey, District I
We are excited to begin a series of District President Spotlights with our very own Kevin Fahey from District I. Kevin is the oldest of 13 children and is married to Anne. He has 4 adopted children and 1 with special needs.
Kevin has been a Vincentian for 11 years and is a member of the Price of Peace Conference. He has most recently been more involved with SVdP. Earlier this year he filled in as Interim President for the late Harry Pulvermacher and in October, he was elected to the position of District I President.
When asked how he got involved with SVdP, Kevin said "Me and my wife were at mass and this was the first time they heard of SVdP. My wife said to me that this was something she felt she could do and I felt the same. We attended the Invitation to Serve and this is when our Home Visits (which we did together) began".
Kevin enjoys SVdP because he says "We are doing God's work. It's very worthwhile, fulfilling and rewarding. Not always easy, though." He continued with "Ever since I attended the Spiritual Renewal this year I was very impressed with the structure and how SVdP does things. How they work. Their rich history, the people, the mission. The spirituality and friendship."
Kevin is already getting ready for 2023. the Prince of Peace Conference will be kicking off with ServWare. They've been working on inputting and getting information together and getting more acclimated with the program so that it could be rolled out to the members. He would also like to go through the whole SVdP "Spiritual Renewal" program,
Another big project on his plate for 2023 is the North Central Region Conference that will be held mid-June in his area at University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. "We're going to have alot of work", he said.
Kevin, wishing you the best on your appointment as District I President. A big year is ahead of you with your plans and North Central Regional Conference. Thank you for being an integral part of SVdP Chicago Council.
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St. Albert the Great, Burbank - Winter Coat Drive for our Migrant Community |
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Pictured L to R: Florence and Vera. |
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Just a sampling from one of two trips made to SVdP with donations received. |
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Vera Maynard, a parishoner at St. Albert the Great Church, in Burbank, IL, spearheaded and assisted SVdP Chicago with a Winter Coat Drive the beginning of December for the migrant community that has recently moved to the Chicago area.
St. Albert the Great Church is a very active Conference that does monetary collections on Sundays, a food pantry (which Vera coordinates), clothing drives, and anything to help the community. Vera is part of an active group that shares all these different duties.
Vera said "St. Albert the Great Church is a great parish that wants to help". She would like to do a clothing drive once a year, maybe in October/November. Vera has been volunteering for just over a year and has worked with the homeless before. She said "poor people have their own dignity. The feel bad they have to ask for help." Vera enjoys working with the homeless.
We are sure this is not the last time we will here about various activities St. Albert the Great Church will be doing for our Friends in Need.
Thank you for all you do!
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Harry Ohde
Volunteer President/CEO
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago-ADC
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Annual Scare, Care, Share Winter Coat Drive |
Many thanks to all the supporters that donated at The Valenti House, Andrea Kirkton's Haunt with a Heart, The Dionesotes House, Chicago Ridge School District 127.5 and our Orland Park and Libertyville Stores. Our Scare, Care, and Share Winter Coat drive was a success and we were able to help over 200 friends in need stay warm this winter!
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Give the Gift of Thrift this Holiday Season!
Did you know that both our Libertyville and Orland Park Thrift Stores sell gift cards? This is a great gift to give that college kid who might be looking for a piece of furniture for his dorm room, or maybe looking for some clothes for a school "Spirit Day". There are so many things you could find in a Thrift Store! Some people over the years have gone "thrifting" only to find that their $5 purchase was worth thousands! It could be books, artwork, crystal, dishes, jewelry and so much more!
Below is a link from Money News about some of the things of value that you could find at your local thrift store and cash in on ...
Stop on by to one of our stores and get a Gift Card today!
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Save the Date: June 14-17, 2023
North Central Region Conference
University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein, Illinois
The North Central Region 2023 Conference will be held at University of St. Mary of the Lake, June 14-17, 2023, at 1000 E Maple Avenue, Mundelein, IL.
As details become available, they will be shared in our monthly E-Newsletter, E-Gazette and our website.
We are excited to be hosting the conference next year and we look forward to seeing everyone there!
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How Can You Help?
There are a number of ways that you can support SVdP Chicago this month!
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AmazonSmile
If you already use Amazon.com for online shopping, you can link your account to AmazonSmile and support SVdP Chicago!
You will make a .5 percent donation with every Amazon purchase by using AmazonSmile.
Here are 3 simple steps to start donating today:
Step 1: Go to smile.amazon.com log in using your email and password as if you were at amazon.com.
Step 2: Search for the Society of St Vincent de Paul-Chicago and select us as your charity.
Step 3: Shop, Amazon Smile, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to SVdP!
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SVdP Chicago Prayer List
Visit our website to offer prayers for those on our list or submit an intention for others to pray for. The power of prayer is very strong. We thank you for your prayers for our members while the Holy Spirit guides us in our work.
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Vehicle Donation Program
Have a car, truck, boat, motorcycle, or RV that is past its prime? The National Vehicle Donation Program is coordinated by The National Council of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and all donations can be made to SVdP Chicago!
Contact our Office Manager Elvia at elvia@svdpchicago.org with any questions or call 773-779-6700 x 107 to start your donation today!
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Let's Get Social
One of the easiest ways to be involved with SVdP Chicago is liking us on Facebook (or Twitter, Youtube, or Instagram) and sharing our posts! We have accounts for each of the Thrift Stores also that you can follow, like, and share from.
This simple action has a big impact in helping to make others aware of the work we are doing to help those in need and how they can get involved!
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Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the mission of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul! We are working together to build a better tomorrow for those in need. “Let us love God, but let it be with the work of our hands and the sweat of our brows.” - St. Vincent de Paul
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SVdP Chicago has been reaching out in our local communities throughout Cook and Lake counties for over 169 years. We have the experience of being a force of good throughout times of war, global pandemics, economic crises, and social changes. Our volunteers serve with hearts full of love and compassion and the Society helps anyone regardless of race, religion, political association, or gender. Learn more about what we do and who we help at our website.
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Follow us on Social Media |
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