St. Vincent de Paul benefits area to the tune of $73,468

Another year has gone by, and St. Vincent de Paul is looking back at months busy with taking care of Dodge County's less fortunates.

With the help of our assisting conferences at Sacred Heart Parish, Horicon; Tri-Parish, Reeseville; and St. Katharine Drexel in Beaver Dam, we were able to distribute $73,468 for rent, utilities, gas vouchers, car repairs and also including medications, where most requests are referred by medical personnel. Miscellaneous donations include clothing and furniture under some circumstances, where a home visit reveals that a family or individual doesn't have the most basic requirements for living, including beds, tables and chairs.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, who once again have filled our basement with items of all descriptions to be donated for sale. It has been said that if you want to find something unusual and unique, the St. Vincent de Paul store is the place to shop. We truly believe this, and are delighted at the customers who regularly come in looking for that unusual item. While you enjoy your purchase, please remember that you have also helped someone less fortunate than yourself. With an ever increasing number of people out of work, St. Vincent de Paul's requests for help increase. It is only through generous donations of saleable items that we can continue to assist needy people.

So please, look carefully at something you are planning to throw out. Could it be used by someone else? If so, please bring it to St.Vincent de Paul. However, we cannot accept stained and torn clothing, and items that are hopelessly broken. These become a detriment because the store must pay to dispose of them. With regard to small appliances, TVs, radios, clocks etc, we have a talented team of gentlemen who do repairs. Also, we have a gentleman who specializes in repairing bicycles of all types.

To all the folks who have brought in donations this past year, we extend a warm Thank you.

Also, our gratitude to those who patronize our store. We hope you continue to do so.

On behalf of our needy clients, God bless all of you.

— St. Vincent de Paul of Dodge County