Dr. Ken Snyder, director of the children’s dental program at St. Vincent de Paul’s Virginia G. Piper Medical & Dental Clinic, has partnered with Al Rodriguez, owner of the Rodriguez Boxing Club on Roosevelt in downtown Phoenix, to provide youth boxers with over 20 free custom-fitted mouthguards.

Dr. Ken Snyder, Dr. Rick Landgren and dental assistant Betsy Leyva pose with Al Rodriguez and boxers from the Rodriguez Boxing Club.

“Many of these kids have experienced such hardship over the years,” said Dr. Snyder. “The Rodriguez Boxing Club gives them an outlet, a safe place to go, and we’re proud to support them in any way we can.”

The Rodriguez Boxing Club is open six days a week and has over 130 youth participants. Al, who has been in boxing for nearly five decades and has run his own gym for over 30 years, is proud of what he is doing to help the Valley’s at-risk youth.

“Of all of the kids that have come to me through the justice system, not one has ever gone back,” Al said.

Click here to read this and other feature stories online in the April 2010 Vincentian Connection!

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix is one of 80 organizations throughout the country competing for a fruit tree orchard grant as part of the Communities Take Root program, sponsored by Dreyer’s Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE TODAY!

The fruit orchard would replace some existing shrubs and trees near our main entrance to help beautify the premises, improve air quality and provide a fresh fruit source for our Family Evening Meal program and emergency food boxes. The orchard would also provide an educational opportunity for our Family Evening Meal guests to reinforce the “5 A Day” message and improve family health.

Five winners will be selected on the first of each month, May 1 through Sept. 1. Voting began March 15 and will continue through Aug. 31. Participants can vote one time each day.

St. Vincent de Paul is the only Phoenix-area organization competing in the Communities Take Root competition.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL TODAY!