A LOOK BACK
CELEBRATION OF SERVICE RAISES $576,000 FOR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION St. Vincent de Paul honored Sherie Marek and Linda Mueller at its seventh annual Celebration of Service, held Thursday, May 19 at Anderson Pavilion and Carol Ann’s Carousel at The Banks. Nearly 300 guests gathered to celebrate Marek and Mueller’s longtime involvement with St. Vincent de Paul and their advocacy for Cincinnati’s neighbors in need. Through gifts made in Marek and Mueller’s honor, sponsorships and ticket sales, this year’s Celebration of Service raised $576,000 to support SVDP’s Homelessness Prevention Program – a record amount for this event. This support will enable St. Vincent de Paul to provide rent or utilities assistance to more Cincinnati families, empowering them to stay safely in the comforts of their home. Special thanks to our platinum sponsor, Protective Life Corporation.
St. Vincent de Paul extends record heat relief “It’s a blessing,” Della says, sitting in her kitchen on a hot and sunny summer afternoon. A new air conditioning unit is keeping the temperature inside of her Bond Hill apartment cool and comfortable – a stark contrast to the humid, heavy air that is making the 90 degree day feel closer to 100 outside. A few weeks earlier, Della was watching a local news program when she heard a story about St. Vincent de Paul Neighbor Alice W. and her granddaughter pick up an A/C unit distributing air conditioning units to neighbors over the age of from SVDP – just days before Alice’s 89th birthday! 65, or to those who have a medical need. “It was still spring, but I knew summer was coming,” Della says. She completed an application and was able to receive one of those A/C units a short time later. Facing the devastating loss of her mother in the early days of summer, Della says having air conditioning has helped make visitors to her home a little more comfortable during a difficult time. “It was a Godsend,” Della says, recalling visits from relatives and counselors who have sat with her over the past few weeks. For Della, having air conditioning is one small burden lifted in a season of grief and loss. Della is just one of over 864 neighbors who received an air conditioning unit through our Fan & A/C Distribution, thanks to supporters like you. An additional 1,522 received a new box fan – a record number for this program! A sincere thank you to everyone in our community who has recognized how crucial this effort is and has responded with generosity. 6
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