SVdP Busy in July

For a lot of organizations and people July is one of those laid back lazy months best used as a transition between the post-school year busy days of June and the pre-school year busy days of August.  Besides, it's hot and it's humid and who wants to do anything is this weather!

But at St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta we're staying busy in July, just like most other months.  The summer months are often hardest for us because the level of financial support we receive drops significantly.  Summer is the hardest time of the year for us to raise money, but the need that exists doesn't decrease; and in fact it goes up.  So we continue to try and meet the requests for help with tighter financial resources and reduced levels of personnel to do the work that needs to be done  (as our staff and volunteers take some well earned vacation themselves and spend time with their families).

This July we're also doing a special fund raising event on July 27th with a group of Guitarists from Argentina who graciously offered their talents to support our work.  There are details about the concert on our main website www.svdpatl.org.

We're also holding our annual Vincentian Night at the Braves on July 16th at Turner Field.  This is our yearly gathering of Vincentians from all over Georgia who come together for fellowship and fun.  It's a great opportunity for people from all over to meet others who have committed themselves to the service of people in need.  They also get to see me and my staff sweat over a hot barbecue as we cooks hot dogs and hamburgers in the parking lot before the game.  It seems like the last two years we've had rain on the night of the game, so I'm hoping this year we'll have a dry (and cool) night!

This month we're also adding new Kroger stores to the pickup schedule for the Food Distribution Program, we're conducting Vincentian University training, and we're beginning the process of expanding our Thrift Store in Kennesaw and exploring the opening of a new Mega Thrift Store in Lawrenceville.


Yes, we're staying pretty busy in July.  And I have no doubt we'll stay pretty busy in August and September and on and on.  As my kids would say ..."That's just how we roll."  If you'd like to join us in this rewarding, fun, and sometimes crazy ride we'd love to have you!

John