Vincentian Fresh Perspectives

A lot has been happening at St. Vincent de Paul, even in our supposedly “slow” season.

New programs, noteworthy visitors, great new relationships, and new ways of engaging with our supporters. We’ve been posting lovely photo albums, producing moving videos, and writing informative blog posts. But you may have missed something in an area that interests you, so I’ve compiled a little digest, by subject area, of things you can learn more about via our blog, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

Let me know if I’ve missed anything – we can always add more. If you’d like to save this digest to…um…digest later, or to forward it to friends (hint, hint) its permanent URL is http://www.helpingthepoor.org/digests/digest05-11-fb-yt-bl. By the way, all of the events and activities below have happened in the last 30 days.

Feeding the Hungry

Blog post about a volunteer who is giving our homeless dining room guests (all 800 of them) a name tag on the day he volunteers.

Flowers that Feed Why give cut flowers when your loved one can have Flowers that Feed?

Easter Party in the Family Dining Room thanks to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Sodexo.

Health Care

Banner Health teaches kids about healthy eating

Homelessness

What are your thoughts about homeless individuals owning pets?

Homeless guest at main St. Vincent de Paul dining room sings the national anthem at an Arizona Diamondbacks game.

Open House at Ozanam Manor transitional shelter.

Volunteerism

SVdP Volunteer Profile series. Videos produced and narrated by Mary Jo West. Featured below are on Facebook page, others will be moving over soon, so that we can all write and read comments about these wonderful volunteers. For a sneak peak at others, see our YouTube channel.

• Andy Andreano
• Anita Tabcharani
• Ellen Lagerman

A Personnel Perspective, a series of short videos of staff members and volunteers telling little stories about their work at St. Vincent:

• Ed Dubiel
• Patricia Metrick
• Cassidy Zoellner

Blog post about a volunteer who is giving our homeless dining room guests (all 800 of them) a name tag on the day he volunteers.

Angels who make Curtains for Vincentian Fresh Perspectives home makeovers.

Corporate volunteers love making SVdP Tees, which raise money to fund our homeless programs.

Hearts and Hands Day of family volunteering

SVdP volunteer Dick Warren wins Governor’s volunteerism award.

Home Makeovers

A Collection of Vincentian Fresh Perspectives Home Makeovers

Cesar’s New Bed Six year old gets his own bunk to recover from kidney surgery.

The Lemon Tree Mayo Clinic paints the house a disabled vet and his wife have lived in for over 50 years.

The Ice Cream Truck and the Girls Four girls who share a small room get their own beds.

Angels who make Curtains for Vincentian Fresh Perspectives home makeovers.

Thank You Nana A grandmother caring for her four granddaughters gets her house painted by a team of volunteers.

Events & Visitors

SVdP International President visits Phoenix for Western Regional Meeting

• Story
• Photos

Golf for Charity event, organized by the Our Lady of Joy Knights of Columbus, raises money for St. Vincent de Paul and has become one of the top charity events in the area.

Hearts and Hands Day of family volunteering

Land of Ahhs honors new SVdP program, Vincentian Fresh Perspectives.

A Shred-A-Thon for Earth Day.

SVdP volunteer Dick Warren wins Governor’s volunteerism award.

Open House at Ozanam Manor transitional shelter.

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Video honoring a group of fabulous volunteers is in two parts:

• Part One
• Part Two

Thrift Stores

Video describes new Volunteer-run thrift store in Cottonwood, AZ.

A Shred-A-Thon for Earth Day.

Ozzie’s Furnishings grand re-opening.

Thought Provoking

Should a food box be handed to anyone who asks for it?

What are your thoughts on restricting restroom access to “customers only,” in public establishments?

What are your thoughts about homeless individuals owning pets?

Who from your childhood has had the greatest positive effect on the kind of person you are today?

Activities for Needy Families

Family Evening Meal calendar – May

Banner Health teaches kids about healthy eating

Easter Party in the Family Dining Room thanks to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Sodexo.

Engaging our Supporters

SVdP “Friend-Raising” Campaign to meet new Facebook Fans

Liliana’s Birthday Wish

Hearts and Hands Day of family volunteering

Flowers that Feed Why give cut flowers when your loved one can have Flowers that Feed?

Hungry for more? There’s lots more great news, photos, and videos on St. Vincent de Paul’s website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, blog, and YouTube channel.

St. Vincent de Paul’s unique thrift store Ozzie’s Furnishings has moved to a new location! And just in time to celebrate its four-year anniversary and you are invited!Been wondering what Ozzie’s has to offer? Come in and check it out! Ozzie’s Furnishings has great prices on one-of-a-kind furnishings and elegant home décor. Styles range from antiques to contemporary. Each piece has been donated by people who want their lovely furnishings to be adored in a new home as well as helping others. Every purchase at Ozzie’s Furnishings benefits homeless and working poor men, women and children who too often go without life’s basic necessities.The wonderful and unique inventory at Ozzie’s moves fast — numerous treasures to be found daily!  Wednesday, April 20 – Saturday, April 23
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ozzie’s Furnishings
3927 E. Indian School Road 
Phoenix, AZ 85018There will be refreshments and surprise giveaways all four days!

Ozzie’s Furnishings, St. Vincent de Paul’s chic, boutique re-sale store has moved to a bigger and brighter location just two doors down.

In case you didn’t know, Ozzie’s Furnishings, offers high-quality furniture and home décor accessories that range from contemporary to classic. Ozzie’s is full of wonderful furniture donations. Each piece has been lovingly donated by people who want their fine family furnishings to be cherished in a new home. But passing along exquisite furniture from one family to another is only part of the story.

Now located at 3927 E. Indian School Road, Ozzie’s is filled with both antique and contemporary artwork, furniture and decorations that you’re sure to love. If you are looking to redecorate this year, then stop by today and see the treasures waiting for you!

Every purchase at Ozzie’s Furnishings benefits homeless and working poor men, women and children who too often go without life’s basic necessities. The proceeds from Ozzie’s help St. Vincent de Paul provide meals at five charity dining rooms, basic services to the homeless, medical and dental care for the working poor, and general assistance for those in need.

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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will host a volunteer sign-up day Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in an effort to recruit volunteers to serve at its Valley thrift store locations.

“We’re in need of committed, energetic and motivated volunteers of all ages to help in our thrift stores,” said Shirley Smalley, committee chair of the St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores. “People can stop by at their convenience throughout the day to sign-up and help us better serve those in need.”

Volunteer sign-up events will be held at the following seven locations:

• Apache Junction Thrift Store – 2540 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction – (480) 380-4515
• Bell Road Thrift Store – 2945 E. Bell Road, Phoenix – (602) 493-8126
• Chandler Thrift Store – 2051 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler – (480) 812-1156
• Glendale Thrift Store – 7018 N. 57th Avenue, Glendale – (623) 931-9901
• Ozzie’s Furnishings – 3931 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix – (602) 955-1460
• Mesa Thrift Store – 2352 W. Main Street, Mesa – (480) 644-0887
• Sunnyslope Thrift Store – 8231 N. 7th Street, Phoenix – (602) 861-2634

St. Vincent de Paul operates a total of 17 thrift stores throughout central and northern Arizona, where people in need—and the general public—can shop for low-cost clothing, furniture and household items. All proceeds from store sales directly fund St. Vincent de Paul’s much-needed programs and services for the homeless and working poor.

CLICK HERE to sign up and become a St. Vincent de Paul volunteer today!

There are many temptations in life. But I think that word takes on a whole new meaning when you visit Ozzie’s Furnishings, a unique boutique filled with some of the nicest treasures donors have given St. Vincent de Paul.

Every time I visit the store, I find something that I just must have – a silver water pitcher, a set of white wicker chairs for my backyard, a drop-leaf table for my college son’s apartment, a mirror in a lovely old carved frame for my daughter’s bedroom, and I could go on.

So I was happy to see that The Arizona Republic named Ozzie’s Furnishings one of “5 decor shops for easy-on-the-wallet updates” in an article by Jaimee Rose and Susan Felt in Sunday’s newspaper (Feb. 7, 2010).

Here’s what the article said:

Ozzie’s Furnishings is the place to hunt for items like a Louis XVI bedroom set made in the 1930s, artwork, lamps, contemporary leather sofas and other family heirlooms donated to St. Vincent de Paul’s boutique-like store. New inventory arrives twice a week, and it’s priced to sell. Proceeds benefit St. Vincent’s charity programs.

3931 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-955-1460, ozziesfurnishings.com.

Gee, it’s been awhile since I visited. Time to see what other treasures are awaiting me. Maybe I’ll see you there!