ST VINCENT de PAUL'S 2018 REPORT
January 25, 2019
It’s time once again to say thank you to Broadus and surrounding territory folk for making the St Vincent de Paul store possible – and thereby a blessing to a wide variety of people and organizations. Without donations (some of which are really REALLY nice as in Wrangler, Carhartt, Patagonia, Coldwater Creek, Chico, MissMe….), the store would be kaput. Without customers, double kaput. Thank you, Powder River County and far beyond, for both!
In 2018 we distributed over $7,500 among thirty-two families and three organizations in addition to clothes and other merchandise from the store. Whether it’s extra warm clothes for school kids, gas cards for medical travel, IGA gift cards, a donation to the ministerial or transportation funds, help with a utility bill, or any other perceived need, St V’s has been available since 2012 to offer a helping hand.
Since the store was started up almost 10 years ago, well over $65,000 in cash donations has gone back into the community. With freely-distributed clothes and merchandise added into the documented giving, that number would likely bump up towards $70,000.
We’ve made some changes in 2018. In September we moved into the old Wool Building next to the Library with more display space, more lighting, more everything! Even better, we have more volunteers whose organizational talents and creativity are evident throughout the store.
From a getting-towards-fossilized-in-age skeleton crew in the past, we now have added some super-duper younger (!) volunteers who decorate the front window, who create attractive jewelry displays, who come in off and on all week to sort and price incoming donations, who paint and clean and fix wherever needed.
It’s always been fulfilling to work at St V’s, but now it’s FUN as well. When there’s two or three of us working together, we probably have more laughter and fun than anyone would suspect. It’s now a great place to get acquainted with those we don’t know except by name, make new friends, laugh a lot, and enjoy our tasks. So c’mon you gals (and guys too please as we have need of muscles and fixit skills) who have been “thinking about volunteering”.
Check with Store Manager Charlee Mills Kuhbacher if you’d like to join up. Or tell whoever’s working or leave a note at the store saying, “Hey, I’d like to help (and have fun too).” We have regular 3-hour morning shifts, 4-hour afternoon shifts, and a 4-hour Saturday shift for which we need people to man the front desk. Schedules are flexible and regular shift folk trade times as needed to accommodate busy and unpredictable lives. Plus we have great shift substitutes who step in when needed.
So as a regular or a substitute, or whenever-it-fits-your day for an hour or two, consider helping out. It DOES take a village not only to raise a child but also to keep a mostly-volunteer store viable.
For donations and volunteers and customers, THANK YOU Broadus & Boyes & Hammond, Alzada & Ekalaka, Biddle & Rocky Point, Sonnette & Ashland & Birney, Coalwood & Volborg & even Olive!
From Store Manager Charlee Mills Kuhbacher
The St V Board of Directors: Mike Copps, Carol Greenwood, Dan Lynch, Jeanne Rogge, Karen Amende, Margie Riley, & Dee Mobley
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