A Vintage EveningA Vintage EveningA Vintage EveningA Vintage EveningA Vintage Evening

St. Vincent de Paulis exploring a new event

with a vintage themethis coming spring.

We’re looking for people whoknow about vintages (wines),appreciate vintage clothing

and antiques, andwould enjoy helping createan extra special evening.

Please call Rebecca at 687-5820for more information.

Student portrays ‘living’ St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent’s

reaches

across

the Ocean

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.P.O. Box 24608705 S. SenecaEugene, OR 97402

Mail To:

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDEUGENE OR

PERMIT NO. 487

St. Vinnie’s Voice A publication of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.

Volume 5, Issue 1 Summer 2003✧www.svdplanecounty.org Treasuring People and Resources

Meet the Board .............................................. 2

Conference dedicates OCC to Rx .................. 3

Christmas around the calendar .................... 4

Project Starfish keeps getting better ............. 5

Eugene’s overnight camping program .......... 6

ESIC Running for Shelter ............................... 7

Changing ‘normal’ .......................................... 8

WHAT’S INSIDE

St. Vincent de Paulby Vincent Persyn(see story below)

Thailand and Afghanistanfeel the reach of caring volun-teers and donors of LaneCounty’s St. Vincent de Paul.

Representatives from the Afghan Centerin Oakland, Calif.,are thrilled with thenumber of bicycles that will be headingto Afghanistan soon, thanks to theoutreach of St. Vincent de Paul.

Henry Hanson said the highlight of his volunteer experience in Thailand lastsummer was the day the Marist High School volunteers took some blind childrento swim in the Gulf of Thailand.

When asked to choose a saint for a three-month-longassignment, Vincent Persyn did not hesitate.

“I chose St. Vincent de Paul because he has the samename as me,” Vincent said.

The assignment is given to sixth graders at O’HaraCatholic School every year. This year, the lives of morethan 35 saints from a variety of countries and cultures werestudied by the students.

On May 30, the rest of the school, along with parentsand other invited guests, attended presentations of the“Living Saints” project. The school’s gymnasium becamea new type of venue. Each student, dressed as his or hersaint, sat or stood before a mural representing thesurroundings typical of their saint’s time and country.

Vincent said he had to complete 10 -15 variousassignments as part of the project. The assignmentsincluded research papers and artwork.

“My favorite assignment was painting the mural yousee behind me,” Vincent said.

Vincent admits he didn’t know much about St. Vincentde Paul before the project began, but now that he knowsof the numerous charitable works of the saint he saidhe is truly honored to bear the name of so great a man.

After weeksof researchand writingseveralreports,VincentPersyn wasqualified toanswerquestionsfromschoolmatesand visitorsabout the lifeand times ofSt. Vincentde Paul.

Antiques, anyone?

Henry Hanson didn’t expect thechildren he met in Thailand to be sohappy.

“It surprised me how happy they allwere,” Henry said. “Even If they hadlimbs missing, or no parents or nosight.”

Henry was one of 17 students fromEugene’s Marist High School who wentto the Pattaya orphanage in Thailandlast summer. St. Vincent’s EmergencyServices Director, Jake DuDell, hastaken student volunteers to theorphanage for six years and is takinganother group this year from June 17-July 3. And this year, Jake is takingsomething more.

St. Vincent de Paul of Lane Countyis beginning a twinning project with theSt. Vincent de Paul Thailand NationalConference, which is headquartered inBangkok, Thailand. The project iscalled, “Adopt A Student” and itspurpose is to help disadvantaged andvery low-income Thai children, grades

1-12, stay in school. Without thefinancial support of this project, mostof these children would not be ableto finish their academic studies,increasing their at-risk status.

The children are selected forsponsorship by their localconferences throughout Thailand.Students receive $72 for theacademic year, the amount necessaryto keep them in school and pay for:a school uniform, books, schoolsupplies, transportation, lunches andother academic fees. The localconferences also chip in financially

please turn to Thailand pg. 7

We assist the poor and those in need of consolation,

Board of DirectorsChair--Jacqueline ColeVice-Chair--Ken CorricelloSecretary--Jean ApplemanTreasurer--Holly CabellVirgil HeideckerRobert HollanderBeverlee HughesRobin JohnsonKathy KinsmanDennis MaricleEugene OrganEdward ThompsonHousing BoardJean ApplemanAnne DeLaneyAmy DohertyNancy ForrestRobert HollanderEllen MaddexKevin O’ReillyRobert TaylorInterfaith Emergency ServicesBoard Liaison--Jean ApplemanRita Red Eagle CastilloStores BoardBoard Liaison-Ken CorricelloCharmaine ColemanMike FavretFred NewmanDiana WiseManufacturing/Recycling BoardBoard Liaison--Dennis MaricleSid BaumJake BishopEugene OrganTom PoageFinance Advisory BoardBoard Liaison-Jacqueline ColeBill BarrHolly CabellRoger ChoapeDonald LambSelf-Sufficiency Services BoardBoard Liaison--Jean ApplemanBoard Liaison--Eugene OrganJohn ChylukToni KlochLarry MalmgrenJerry SmithDistrict CouncilPresident--Kathy KinsmanSpiritual Advisor--Father Dan ReynoldsAll Conference Presidents

Department HeadsTerry McDonald, Executive DirectorCharley Harvey, Assistant Exec. Dir.Anne Williams, Housing ProgramsAmanda Saul, Housing DevelopmentJake DuDell, Emergency ServicesRebecca Larson, Community ResourcesSusan Sammons, St. Vinnie’s Voice EditorGaylene Glidewell, Self-SufficiencyRoxann O’Brien, Social ServicesLeisha Wallace, StoresAmy Harwood, Property ManagementCarol Belmer, Personnel

St. Vinnie’s Voice

Published by: St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.Editor: Susan SammonsWriters and Photographers:St. Vincent de Paul Staff & Volunteers

St. Vinnie’s Voice is published three timesa year in the Summer, Fall and Spring.We welcome your comments or suggestions.Please address all correspondence to:

Susan Sammonsc/o St. Vincent de Paul

P.O. Box 24608Eugene, OR 97402

Phone: (541) 687-5820Fax: (541) 683-9423

E-mail: ssammons@svdplanecounty.org

Visit St. Vincent’s Web siteand read

St. Vinnie’s Voice

online at:www.svdplanecounty.org

Meet Our BoardMeet Our Board

St. Vinnie’s Voice Summer 2003

Books at dePaul’s

Alphabetized & Categorized

40,000 titles at:

Seneca 705 S. Seneca

West 11th 1880 W. 11th

Division 201 Division St.

30,000 titles at:

4 Corners 2699 Roosevelt

25,000 titles at:

West Broadway2345 W. Broadway

dePaul Boutique & Books

555 High St.

Lots of antique books, specialty

books, and collectors items

15,000 titles at:

Springfield 501 Main St.

Before you check the rest . . .Before you check the rest . . .Before you check the rest . . .Before you check the rest . . .Before you check the rest . . .check the best !check the best !check the best !check the best !check the best !

Paperbacks 99¢ Hardbacks $1.99

Specialty books priced higher

2

From Our Executive DirectorFrom Our Executive Director

Americans are a pioneer

people – we’re descended from

the ones who didn’t stay home,

who didn’t accept the status quo

– who declared that we could

make a better world. Their

vision, hard work and

determination have given us the

opportunities and liberties we hold

so dear today.

That pioneering spirit is more

important than ever as our society

faces so many challenges. How do

we care for the most vulnerable of

our citizens, generate jobs, educate

our children, protect the

environment, and build the kind of

community that is a real legacy for

the future?

Should we concentrate on

problems here at home or look at

the global picture? Where do we

start?

Within this edition, you’ll read

about the ways, big and small, at

home and abroad, that St. Vincent

de Paul is “pioneering” to address

people in crisis and break the cycle

of poverty.

St. Vincent’s mission is

bannered across the top of this

newsletter.

It’s a broad vision with room for

innovation and growth.

As we near the 4th of July,

please join me in prayers for the

future of our community and our

country. Working together, we can

continue to build a proud heritage.

Terrence R. McDonald

Faith in action with a family flair

Speak to Kathy Kinsman

for a few minutes

and her husband Jim is

going to come up in the conversa-

tion – repeatedly. Her love and re-

spect for him is obvious. They met

when Kathy was a sophomore at

Phoenix College in Arizona. He sat

behind her in government educa-

tion class. Love at first sight?

“Well, it was for him,” she said,

laughing.

Kathy and Jim were wed eight

months later and have been mar-

ried for 33 years. They have two

grown daughters and four grand-

children.

Kathy was born and raised in

Arizona. Thirteen years ago, the

couple vacationed in Oregon and

thought they’d like a change. Jim

transferred within the telephone

company. Kathy, who had 18 years

experience as a respiratory thera-

pist, began looking for a job. She

soon learned that as the “new kid

on the block” in Eugene, she had

to work nights and weekends. This

left little time for Kathy and Jim to

enjoy all the camping and outdoor

activities they had moved to Or-

egon for in the first place. Jim even-

tually retired and Kathy became the

church secretary at St. Mary’s

Catholic Church, where they both

continue to be active volunteers.

Prior to coming to Eugene,

Kathy and Jim had been away from

the church for many years. Then

Jim participated in Promise Keep-

ers and a subsequent revival called

them back.

“St. Mary’s just felt like home,”

Kathy said.

Soon she began volunteering at

St. Vincent’s food room. Eventu-

ally, both of them became active in

St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Con-

ference.

Kathy joined the Board of Directors

of St. Vincent de Paul as the District

Council president last year. The Dis-

trict Council is formed of representa-

tives from the various parish St.

Vincent de Paul groups, which focus

on emergency aid through home vis-

its.

“Jim and I see a lot of need – and a

lot of people looking for some contact

and some care,” Kathy said. “I like

being part of the board of St. Vincent’s

because I get to see how all the differ-

ent pieces fit together. I’m involved in

home visits and conference work, but

there is so much more going on – hous-

ing, recycling, jobs. Start somewhere.

You might not think that any little thing

you can do will make a difference, but

it can.”

Thank you, Kathy, for all you bring

to those in need through St. Vincent de

Paul.

Francis (above), the $7 dog, waspurchased far above the asking price byJim, while he was on a job site in a ruralarea. Jim knew the boy selling the dogprobably needed the money becausethe boy’s father was in prison.

Kathy and Jim Kinsman (left) as theyappear in St. Mary’s Catholic Churchdirectory.

✧

Thank you St. Peter and St. Jude

volunteers and parishionersfor holding Bundle Sundays to collect usable clothing and household

goods. If your parish is interested in having a Bundle Sunday to collect items to

be given to those in need or to be sold in our stores to benefit SVdP programs,

call Rebecca at 687-5820. (Look for our new donation trailer at

Spencer Butte Middle School at 43rd & Donald in south Eugene.)

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3

seeking out and utilizing every resource. St. Vinnie’s Voice Summer 2003

St. Mark’s Conference dedicates funds to RxConference ConnectionsConference Connections

Volunteer in the Spotl ightVolunteer in the Spotl ight

The ‘Answer for Hair’boosts applicants’ confidence

Vincentians honorFather Dan with

special thank you

St. Vincent de Paul conference members in LaneCounty honored their spiritual advisor, with an awardmade at St. Vincent’s Aurora Glass Factory.

Father Dan Reynolds said he was completely surprisedwhen Jacque Cole and Kathy Kinsman presented himwith the cobalt blue glass plaque at the May district coun-cil meeting. Heavenly “jubilee” cakes were served fol-lowing the meeting to celebrate Father Dan’s milestone.

Prior to the meeting, a delicious dinner was servedand St. Vincent de Paul board member Bob Hollander,with local attorney Heather Walloch, gave a presenta-tion called “Giving Big and Small.” The presentationoutlined simple ways to leave a legacy to St. Vinnie’s.

A plaque presented to Father Dan by Kathy Kinsman andJacque Cole at May’s District Council meeting carries thefollowing inscription:

Well done, GOOD and Faithful

Servant Matthew 25:21

Presented with love to Father Dan Reynolds

St. Vincent de Paul Spiritual Advisorin appreciation of 50 years of ministry on this 21st day of May, 2003

Ginger (right),who with her

husband, Hal,owns The

Answer for Hairat the Hilton in

Eugene, hopesthe hairstyle she

gave ShirleyBeebe will helpher land a job.

Besides the newhaircut, Shirley is

wearing a suitshe bought at a

St. Vincent dePaul store.

St. Mark’s St. Vincent de Paul Con-

ference members were gratified to

learn that their request had been

granted for $1,800 of Oregon Chari-

table Checkoff (OCC) fund to help pay

p r e s c r i p t i o n

costs for people

with low or fixed

incomes. And

they immedi-

ately let it be

known that they

wanted those

funds to be available to anyone com-

ing to St. Vincent’s in Lane County

for help with prescriptions – not just

those within their own conference

borders.

All conferences in Oregon were

encouraged to apply for the funds,

which are made possible by the thou-

sands of Oregonians who checked the

box on their income tax return to dedi-

cate a portion of their refund to help

the work of St. Vincent de Paul

Members of the St. Mark Conference include (from left to right) RandyRobertson, Rose Lee, Dennis Alley, Vi Brown, Tom Shea, Joanne Ingman,Virgil Heidecker and Father Dan Reynolds.

throughout Oregon.

“On a monthly basis we have

given out of our conference fund

to pay for prescriptions.” said St.

Mark conference member Joanne

Ingman. “Those funds kept running

out each month.”

Margaret Temple, who has been

treasurer for the conference for sev-

eral years, brought the county-wide

need to the attention of the confer-

ence. She had been volunteering at

St. Vincent’s Social Service Office

and knew how great the need was.

“We wouldn’t have enough

money to fill all the requests,”

Margaret said. “I felt like that was

important. If you’re sick and need

medicine, you probably won’t get

well without it.”

“When the Oregon Health Plan

cutbacks began, we were con-

cerned that the need was going to

skyrocket,” Joanne said.

Roxann O’Brien, St. Vincent’s So-

cial Service Office Supervisor, said

she’s seeing several victims of those

cutbacks trying to choose between

paying for rent, utilities or medicine.

“At the time, we knew we were just

looking at the tip of the iceberg,” said

conference member Dennis Alley.

“So, we want to get the word out

about the OCC – to make this work

better every year.”

“We hope people will realize that

this money really does come back to

us in this community,” Joanne added.

St. Mark’s conference members

envision the OCC continuing to be a

source of help for low-income resi-

dents in Lane County.

“I have insurance for my prescrip-

tions,” Margaret said. “I don’t know

how those without can manage.”

Looking quite a bit like Bonnie Raitt (rightdown to the striking red hair) Ginger (sheprefers to just go by Ginger) opens her salonto Self-Sufficiency Services job seekers on thethird Monday of each month and gives them anew look to go with looking for a new job.

“People might think they have nothing togive, but if you have any talent someone,somewhere in the community probably needsit,” Ginger says.

Ginger has been styling hair in the Eugenearea as “The Answer for Hair” for 27 years,the past five at the Hilton Hotel in Eugene. Shegot the idea to give haircuts to those in needafter learning about St. Vincent de Paul’sVocational Rehabilitation program from St.Vincent de Paul caseworker Bonnie Abbey.

“I thought it would be real nice for them tolook good on their job interviews,” Ginger says.

Bonnie says Ginger has probably givenhaircuts to more than 100 of her clients in thepast two and a-half years.

“This is a real inspiration for me,” Bonniesays. “She’s not just doing this for St. Vincent

de Paul. She’s doing it for the wholecommunity.”

Ginger says one of the first women whocame to Ginger from St. Vincent de Paulhadn’t been in a salon for 30 years. Peoplein that situation get a real boost from the freshnew look a haircut gives them.

“Clients come out of Ginger’s salon withtheir chins up,” Bonnie says.

Bonnie remembers Julia, who kept herhead down, not making eye contact withanyone.

“After Ginger got done shampooing andcutting her hair, Julia lifted her head andwalked out with an air of confidence andpride and then nailed her job interview,”Bonnie recalls.

Ginger’s philosophy about helping otherswhere you can is simple.

“Everybody should help,” she says. “We’reall in this together. Any one of us can becomeunemployed or unemployable.”

Margaret Temple

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Let the games begin......a June morning was filled withballoon tosses and lively games forchildren at St. Vincent’s OakwoodManor affordable housing complex.The summer fun was provided by AlphaPhi Omega. What a blast!

Being mindful of the sanctity and dignity of all,

4

St. Vinnie’s Voice Summer 2003

Giving spirit keeps on flowingGiving spirit keeps on flowingGiving spirit keeps on flowingGiving spirit keeps on flowingGiving spirit keeps on flowingaroundAnn Heuvel, a former St. Jude

parishioner, started Christmasaround the calendar, a way to collect

necessary items for homeless folks yearround. “It’s always bothered me that we

remember the homeless during the holidays –but what happens the rest of the year?” Her idea isgoing strong eight years later as parishioners still

collect diapers or basic baby supplies, hygiene items, orsocks/gloves, depending on the season, for homeless families

with children through First Place Family Center.

Christmas around the calendar has evolved to Christmas aroundthe world. Ann’s parish in Portland is collecting basic supplies for

a Bantu family that will soon relocate from Africa. “It’s soeasy to help,” she said. “So you can’t give $50 – go buy some

toothbrushes or school supplies or $1 umbrellas anddonate them. It will make you feel like a million!”

In that spirit, we’re dedicating these two pages togroups and individuals who have donated

time, talent, goods, cash and more – atChristmas time and beyond.

The Oregon Air and Space Museum hosted 20children in St. Vincent’s programs to a tour of themuseum and followed it up with gifts from Santa.Bob Rathmann (pictured above), Oregon Air andSpace Museum Board member and Facilities Chair,led the tour, which took place on December 23.

After a stimulating afternoon of exploring planesand other aviation wonders and choosing their owngifts, the children helped load even more giftssupplied for distribution to other children in St.Vinnie’s housing and various programs.

A great big thank you for wonderful giftsand a memorable experience to:

The Oregon Air and Space MuseumEugene Elks #357

Gibson Holders, Inc.Berjac

Just five days before Christmas, the KUGN double-decker bus arrived at Mecedes-Benz of Eugene and wasloaded with food and clothing donations, which had beencollected from area businesses and community donors.Children from St. Vinnie’s programs boarded the buswith Santa and sang carols as the bus made its way toFirst Place Family Center where the donations wereunloaded.

Honored sponsors and donors included:

Bob Mylenek, Mercedes-Benz of EugeneMcDonald’s of EugeneCumulus Broadcasting

The Register-GuardKEZI

Members of Emmaus Lutheran and United Lutheranyouth groups teamed up on February 22 to landscapeat St. Vincent’s Mac McDonald housing complex. Theyouth were weeding and tilling soil on empty stomachsas part of a hunger fast.

While they were working, a pizza delivery truckcame through and offered free pizzas. The studentshad to regretfully decline. Pastor Tom Dodd fromUnited Lutheran just grinned and said, “There’s God’sironic sense of humor!”

the

calendar

Marcella (in her mother Ruby’s arms) charmed these twoMcDonald’s employees and Santa, too!

SHS Lacrosse

team plays overtime

The Sheldon High School

Lacrosse team volunteered with

St. Vinnie’s kids at Tugman Park

on March 1. The athletes raised

money for their team by getting

pledges for community service from

family and friends. Children from

St. Vincent de Paul housing

appreciated the outing and the

chance to play sports with high

school students. Big kids

and little kids alike had

a great time!

Charlie & theChocolate Factory

A resounding thank you to theRose Children’s Theatre for a

bunch of tickets to an enchantingperformance on a February

evening. Those who are strugglingto pay rent often have nothing

left for entertainment.What a treat!

Aviators give Vinnie’s Kids a treat

BINGO Knights

The Knights of Columbus put on a spaghettifeed and BINGO night in February as a benefit forSt. Vincent de Paul. The Knights’ event raised $750

for St. Vinnie’s programs and they collected$250 worth of nonperishable food too!

Way to go, Knights.

Wesleyimagined

what itwould belike to fly

amidstthe

cloudsand

beyond.

Service with a smile and no pizzaService with a smile and no pizzaService with a smile and no pizzaService with a smile and no pizzaService with a smile and no pizza

KUGN bus delivers fun and gifts

Food isneeded aroundthe calendar ...

... and EugeneElks Lodge

No. 357 came through ina big way right beforeChristmas. Staff at the

food room were pleased tobe able to offer food afterthe Christmas rush was

over.They said that the

makings for a spaghettidinner were especially

popular.Thank you, Elks!

The entertainment just kept com-ing at the Second Annual Commu-nity for Kids Dinner. The eventraised more than $8,000 for childrenin St. Vincent de Paul programs andyouth at St. John Bosco House.

The dinner is the brainchild ofEugene native Mary Schmitz Gray,who says that together we can makea real difference in the lives of chil-dren who need our help. Mary’s fam-ily and friends helped cook and servethe dinner.

Billed as an evening of music, in-spiration and fine food, the eveningdid not disappoint the more than 200people at the event, which was heldon April 25 in St. Paul’s Parish Cen-ter.

State Senator Bill Morrisette gavean inspirational blessing, setting acompassionate tone for the evening.Master of Ceremonies, Bill Barrettof KKNU New Country 93, kept themood light and wowed everyonewith his wit and wisdom.

any charitable work that advances those goals

5

St. Vinnie’s Voice Summer 2003

MBA’s from the UO gaveFirst Place Family Center some TLC

Ten MBA students from the UO landscaped andcleaned First Place’s grounds and playground area

on a Friday afternoon in April. Outdoor springcleaning with lawn mowers

and weed-whackers!Thanks a bunch.

Communityfor Kids Dinner

features classyentertainment

The Ladybugs were a big hit. They hadthe audience singing along to theirrendition of “Amen.”

Special guest speaker BobWelch challenged diners at the din-ner to invest in the lives of kids.He said that leaving a legacy wasnot optional for any of us.

“You and I will leave legacies,”he said. “It’s just a matter of whatkind of legacies we’ll leave.”

Thank you Senator BillMorrisette, Bill Barrett, BobWelch, Shelley James & CalColeman, Kirstin Nusser & theNewman Backup Band and St.Vinnie’s own Ladybugs. Yourcombined talents made for a mostmemorable evening.

A special thank you to our in-kind donors: Albertsons, Alsco,Arby’s Restaurants, Bi-Mart, Em-erald Fruit and Produce, FosterFarms, Lochmead Dairy,McDonald Wholesale,McDonald’s Restaurants of Eu-gene, Organically Grown Co-op,Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company ofEugene, Reed & Cross, Secret

House Winery, Shelley James & CalColeman and Williams’ Bakery.

With heartfelt thanks to: Bob Gray,Francie Hanes, Angie Bayliss, MariaWilliams, Patrick Roelle, Bob &Joeine Thomas, Lenore Barrett, ChrisClugston, Dylan Williams, AudrinaDelos Reyes, Brittany Delos Reyes,Tagon Hanes and all dear friends andvolunteers

✧

Youth Day of Caring

Springfield High School students arrived atone of our stores in March to wash windows,sweep sidewalks and stock books on shelvesinside the store. They did an awesome job.

Thanks so much for spending yourDay of Caring with us!

Seeingbeyond our borders

Eye surgeries for morethan 100 of Vietnam’s poor-

est, along with an exchange ofknowledge with doctors in Viet-nam, proved a rewarding experi-

ence for several doctors andnurses in February.

St. Vincent’s Jake DuDellcoordinated the five-day trip.

Participants from Eugene were:Dr. John Haines, Dr. RobChamper, nurses Nancy

Brennan & Sherry VanBeber,eye technicians Kim Smith

& Stacy Tripney.You are all truly

appreciated!

Playground#3 is on the way!

Thanks to the HomeBuilders Association

(HBA), children at St.Vincent’s Ross Lane afford-able housing will get a play-

ground. St. Vinnie’s is a memberof the HBA and participates in theannual HBA Garage Sale, sharinga percentage of the proceeds. This

year’s sale broke all previousrecords and St. Vincent’s received$5,000. Proceeds from previoussales helped build a playground

at Oakwood Manor and en-hanced the existing structuresat Tugman Park, adjacent to

St. Vincent’s SouthHilyard Terrace.

Thank youHome Builders!

Members of Mary Gray’s family,including granddaughter, Tagon Hanes,volunteered to help make the evening agreat success.

(left) Eighth gradersat O’Hara school getready to fill a St.Vinnie’s truck withfood and householdsupplies they col-lected for low-in-come families.

(right) Kendall Silvaand Kevin Gehrigproudly display acheck reflecting thisyear’s Project Star-fish effort at St. PaulSchool. Real checkswere sent to fouragencies, includingSt. Vincent’s.

Students, parents and staff at bothSt. Paul and O’Hara Catholic schoolsraised record amounts of money andcollected mountains of food andhousehold supplies for ProjectStarfish.

State Senator Bill Morrisette

Project Starfish: better than everSt. Paul & O’Hara students deliver

began Starfish with the goal of“breaking the cycle of homelessness,one family at a time.”

St. Paul students have beendedicating their Lenten serviceefforts to this project for the pastseven years. Activities this year

included diverse projects, from aspaghetti feed to a garage sale.

Students at O’Hara were similarlybusy. They collected enough hygienesupplies and food to fill theconference room at St. Vincent’sadministrative offices. The efforts of

both school’s will make it possiblefor St. Vincent’s to get severalfamilies into safe and affordablehousing!

to park his trailer on a businesssite where he is acting as a nightwatchman. The business is pro-viding for all his camping ex-penses so there is no longer anycost to the city. He continues tosave toward further improvementin this housing situation.

“These may seem like smallsuccesses to many of us,” Will-iam says, “but they are lifechanging for the campers.”

Is within the mission

6

St. Vinnie’s Voice Summer 2003

Tammy says it’s not much,but right now it’s home. Shedecorates the walls with smallmementos to make the placefeel more like her own.

Overnight camping programimproves, changes lives

It really is true. Some people arejust one paycheck away from beinghomeless. Many who find them-selves in this situation end up livingin their car, truck, or if they are lucky,a trailer.

Tammy is a good example of that.She lost her job as a caregiver inSpringfield and she had no way topay the $750 rent on the house inwhich she was living.

Friends in the Veneta area gave hera trailer to live in, but soon healthproblems forced her to move intoEugene. She got dropped from theOregon Health Plan because she wasunable to pay the $8 monthly pre-mium.

Looking for help, Tammy came toSt. Vincent’s Eugene Service Sta-tion, a day shelter for homelessadults. They referred her to WilliamWise, Overnight Parking ProgramCoordinator for St. Vincent’s.

Beginning in 1998, the city of Eu-gene has contracted with St.Vincent’s to manage safe, legal park-ing with facilities for homeless fami-lies and adults. The city pays for thecoordinator, portable toilets andtrash collections at the various sites.William says the waiting list forcamping spots is usually around 200.

Tammy says she is grateful that St.Vincent’s was able to find her a safespot to camp in her trailer.

“You guys are life savers,” shesays.

William says there are many sto-ries and quiet victories among thevarious campers in the program.

Marianne is 50. William met herin response to a complaint aboutstreet parking in an industrial area.

She was living in the front seat of anold Dodge pickup that barely ran andonly had first gear. All of her worldlybelongings were stored in the backof the pickup under a shell cover.

She had recently been terrorized byanother camper and was very fright-ened. She finally got a restraining or-der against him. A woman living onthe street in a vehicle is exposed todanger all the time. She was (and stillis) enrolled in Lane CommunityCollege’s Criminal Justice programand is making straight-A grades. Allthis while living in the front seat of apickup!

William found her a safer place topark. She will graduate in less than ayear. Previously, she was a long-haultrucker until physical problems endedthat career.

Recently, another camper who hasmoved into housing gave her hissmall travel trailer so now she hasmore room to study and can lay downto sleep.

In her spare time, she is active as avolunteer at St. Vincent de Paul’s Ser-vice Station.

Paul was a familiar face to Will-iam, generating 15 complaints for liv-ing in his travel trailer on the streetsof Eugene between January and Juneof 2002. His small trailer was evenmore crowded when he took in a sickfriend.

Paul worked off and on but wascontinually plagued with having tofind a new place to park his trailer.Since he had no vehicle of his own,he looked to volunteer help in keep-ing one step ahead of the complaints.William says his frustration was evi-dent.

William allocates overnight camp-ing spaces based on the likelihoodthat the camper will find more stable

housing within the next 90 days. Paulseemed like a long shot to William,but he decided he had to give Paul achance to improve his situation. Hewas given one of the spaces at a lo-cal park in July.

Paul kept his space clean and neat.He found stable employment nearthe end of his 90 days and Williamextended his stay so he could gain abit more stability. By the end of theyear, he had found a permanent place

Hearts and flowersfor Vinnie’s friends

Interfaith Shelter ExpandsThank you to the faith communities that make the InterfaithEmergency Shelter System. With even more congregationsparticipating, St. Vincent’s is now able to give overnightshelter to homeless families from the beginning of theschool year until mid-July.

St. Jude Catholic Church Springfield First BaptistCentral Presbyterian First CongregationalLiving Hope Friendly Street Church of GodNew Life Center, Springfield St. Mary Catholic ChurchFirst United Methodist St. Peter Catholic ChurchSt. Mark Catholic Church Ebbert MemorialSt. Mary’s Episcopal Emerald Bible FellowshipThe Lighthouse First Baptist of EugeneOur Redeemer Lutheran First ChristianTemple Beth Israel Springfield Faith CenterSt. Paul Catholic Church Emmaus LutheranFirst Nazarene Valley CovenantWesley United Methodist Twin Rivers BaptistThurston Christian Central LutheranSt. Thomas Episcopal Church of the HarvestEugene Faith Center Episcopal Church of the Resurrection

For information on how your faith community can participate, contact Tim Rockwell at 342-7728.

Mayor Jim Torreywas on hand to honorspecial volunteers atthe seventhanniversarycelebration of St.Vincent’s EugeneService Station, a daycenter for homelessmen and women.

Mayor Torrey tookone look at SteveAustin on DennisKirtman’s shirt andquipped, “That’s whatI’d look like with nohair.”

Bob Myleneck, of Mercedes-Benz of Eugene, shows off his

“Heart for the Homeless” awardat First Place Family Centers

Valentine’s Day award ceremony.Others honored at the

ceremony included SallyBlankenhship, who received the“Academic” award. The supportshe found at First Place made it

possible for her to return toschool. Her diligence has earned

her a $100,000 scholarship tostudy marine biology at

Oregon State University.Congratulations, Sally!

They will race for 24 hours, fromTimberline Lodge to the beach atSeaside.

They will race to help im-prove the lives of low-in-come persons in St. Vincentde Paul’s housing programs.

As a team, they are knownas Running for Shelter, TheEnterprise Social Investment Corpo-ration (ESIC) sponsored group thathas run in Oregon’s Hood-to-Coastrelay race for the past six years.

The Hood to Coast is an approxi-mately 196-mile relay race, the larg-est of its kind in the world. Morethan 12,000 runners participate inthe annual event, now in its 21styear. This year’s race will take placeon August 22 and 23.

ESIC, The Enterprise Foundation,and their investor and developmentpartners help improve the lives of

low-income persons throughout thecountry in many ways. They thinkthat the Hood to Coast Relay is one

of the most unique.This year, they have or-

ganized two teams that willinclude Enterprise staff,housing advocate partnersand anyone willing to run

15-20 miles during the relay.Enterprise’s Running for Shelter

efforts have raised more than$150,000 in the last six years. Of theone-thousand teams running in therace, the Enterprise teams have beenamong a small minority using therace as a fundraiser.

Thank you, Enterprise, and all ofyour investor and development part-ners.

For more information, or to con-tribute to the event, call Amanda atSt. Vincent’s (687-5820).

of St. Vincent de Paul.

7

St. Vinnie’s Voice Summer 2003

Hundreds of at-risk youth havefound the answer to steady employ-ment by following the Yellow BrickRoad, St. Vinnie’s style. Unfortu-nately, following that Yellow BrickRoad, YBR as we like to call it, justgot a bit bumpy, because the programhas lost its funding.

YBR was funded primarilythrough a Workforce Investment Actgrant administered by LaneWorkforce Partnership. Competitionto renew the $300,000 program thisyear was tough.

SVdP will seek funding throughprivate and public donations, as wellas corporate and governmental grantopportunities. We’re determined notto stop until these youth are served.

The 2002 Running for Shelter team (sponsored by The Enterprise SocialInvestment Corporation) raised more than $40,000 in Oregon’s Hood to CoastRelay. This year’s net proceeds will go to St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County!

Running for St. Vinnie’s

Many Yellow Brick Road youthgive back to the community throughcommunity service projects createdand administered by the youth them-selves. With free car washes, com-munity gardens, holiday givingtrees, food closets, and hygiene sup-ply giveaways, these youth have re-flected the great joy that comes fromserving others instilled in them bythe YBR program. Without a newsource of funding, the future of thissuccessful program is in peril.

If you or anyone you know wouldlike to help support our youth, pleasecontact St. Vincent’s Self-Suffi-ciency Department at 541-607-0439.

Yellow Brick Roadfuture in question

In the last issue of St. Vinnie’s Voice, we told you about a youngman named Rick Clem, whose life was turned around when hefound St. Vincent’s Yellow Brick Road last year. Now, the programthat serves more than 100 youth is losing its funding in July.

Thanks to a $500 grantfrom AT&T, a garden wasplanted in Cottage Grove

– just in time for thegrowing season. On April12, a group of leaders in

St. Vincent de Paul’sYellow Brick Road

program, coordinated therestoration of a garden at

Lincoln Middle School.Volunteers from Yellow

Brick Road, LincolnMiddle School and LittleMiddle Preschool, whichis located adjacent to the

garden, planted variousseeds, flowers, berries,

sunflowers and bulbs.

✧

Leave a Legacy to St. Vincent de Paul

For more information on how to includeSt. Vincent de Paul

in your will/estate plan,

call Rebecca Larson@ (541) 687-5820 ext. 121

Oakwood Manor hosts STOP:weight loss through nutrition

STOP, or Start Taking OffPounds, is helping residents in St.Vincent de Paul’s affordable hous-ing lose weight.

Sadie Sponsler is a nutritional ad-vocate and meets with a group oncea week at Oakwood Manor’s com-munity room.

The driving idea behind the STOPprogram is to learn more abouthealthy food choices and frequentexercise as a way to lose weight andprevent type 2 diabetes, which isreaching epidemic proportions in

our society. Furthermore, holding classes at a

SVdP housing site is beneficial be-cause gym memberships can be ex-pensive, and often transportation isa problem.

Those who have been attendingSTOP sessions think that the mostimportant part of the program is thesupport that the participants give toone another.

Anyone living in St. Vincent dePaul’s housing is welcome to join thegroup on Mondays at 6 p.m.

granted SVdP Lane County $50,000to ship needed supplies toAfghanistan. Eventually, plansinclude a woodshop and a jobstraining center in Kabul.

Sometime in mid-June a shipmentincluding crutches, wheel chairs andlots of bicycles for both young andold, should leave from Oaklandheaded for Kabul.

Outreach to those in need acrossthe ocean enriches our lives andthose of the people we are able tohelp.

After his experiences in Thailand,Henry says he has gained a renewedappreciation for the things he hashere in the United States.

“We can be so ungrateful for whatwe have,” he said.

to help the family and providevolunteer support if needed.

St. Vincent’s in Thailand has beenimplementing the project for fiveyears and its popularity and successkeeps growing. Last year, more than300 students benefited from theproject. This academic year theyhope to target more than 500 studentswith financial scholarships. Thus far,SVdP of Lane County has raised$2,000 to help with this effort.

Thailand is not the only countryacross the ocean where SVdP ofLane County’s presence is making adifference in young lives.

St. Vincent de Paul has applied for,and will likely be granted, privatevolunteer organization (PVO) statusin August. This will allow St.Vincent’s to send critically neededsupplies all over the world for reliefthrough USAID, which provides freeshipping. (Shipping costs can beprohibitive.) SVdP national has

Thailandcontinued from page 1

If you have an interest in helping Thaichildren stay in school, or volunteering

abroad, please contact Jake at 342-7728or Rebecca at 687-5820 for details.

St. Vincent de Paul2003 Golf Tournament

Friday, August 1, 2003RiverRidge Golf Course

3800 North Delta Highway, Eugene

$100 entry fee includes: 18 holes of golf

dinner prizes

Advanced Registration RequiredCheck-in at 12:30 p.m.Shotgun starts at 1 p.m.

Scramble Format

Join friends, family and supporters for a livelyround of golf and dinner while helping children inthe community. All proceeds from this event willhelp provide enrichment activities for more than

250 children living in St. Vincent’s affordablehousing. Donations are tax deductible.

Please consult your tax advisor.

For more information, contact:

Bill Barr, Tournament Chairman, 746-4140or

Rebecca Larson, 687-5820

Your continued support is so important to ourcommunity. Now, you can make your gifts

automatically – monthly, quarterly,whenever you choose.

Call 687-5820 x144 to find out how to set upelectronic donations. We’ll send you an

authorization form to fill out and return. It’ssecure, confidential and easy.

We appreciate your support!

8

Thank youThank youThank youThank youThank you ! ! ! ! !

St. Vincent de Paul Societyof Lane County, Inc.P.O. Box 24608Eugene, Oregon 97402

Please cut on dotted line.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

____ I am enclosing a check for $ ___________________ Please make checks payable to St. Vincent de Paul

____ Please charge $ ________________ to my VISA or MasterCard (please circle one)

Card number ________________________________________ Exp. date __________

Signature______________________________________________________________

Yes, I want to reach out and change the world.

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St. Vinnie’s Voice Summer 2003

Treasuring People and Resources

This message appeared on a computer screen recently. Something to do with the set-up

for the screen. But it might be food for thought.

If we accept the dictionary definition of “normal” (the usual or expected state) then,

yes, let’s replace the existing normal.

Why is it “normal,” why is it a reality that people in our community are hungry and

suffering? Why is it an every day occurrence that we must turn away twice as many

people as we can help at St. Vincent de Paul’s Social Service Office ? Why is it that

there is not enough funding for basic human necessities for children, the mentally ill,

the aged, the sick, the marginalized?

Would that a stroke of a key on a computer keyboard right these wrongs.

Instead, we’re asking for your help as a volunteer or as a donor with the stroke of your

pen as you write a check so that we can continue to provide...

♦ Prescription medicines for 50 people a month

♦ Rental assistance to prevent homelessness for 30 households a month

♦ 1,000 Food boxes a month

♦ 120 Home visits from caring volunteers a month

♦ Connections for 1,500 people each month with other community services

♦ Clothing for job interviews, school, and work for 1,000 people a month

♦ Transportation to work for 50 people a month

♦ Some form of energy assistance to 2,000 households per month

...and help those St. Vincent de Paul has to turn away each month due to lack of funds.

It’s up to all of us to change the existing “normal”— and build a better community.

We need your continued support.

Thank you on behalf of the countless folks you help through St. Vincent de Paul.

DO YOU WANT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING NORMAL?