VOICEOfficial Publication of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho

St. Vincent De Paul’sSummer

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www.stvincentdepaulcda.orgCelebrat ing 71 Years of Serving our Community

St. Vincent de Paul Board of DirectorsThe local St. Vincent de Paul Board of Directors is made up of community volunteers who dedicate their time and experience to help meet the needs of St. Vincent de Paul.

Chris Fritz PresidentMike McDowell TreasurerCarla Redline SecretaryEileen Bagan VP SpiritualityJohn Bruning VP HousingAndrew Evenson VP MarketingRuss Porter Board MemberShelly Enderud Board MemberPat Miller Board MemberRobert Valencia Board MemberMike Kennedy Board MemberLinda Mitchell Past PresidentFr. Mariusz Majewski Spiritual Advisor

St. Vincent de PaulDepartment Directors Denise BradenThrift Store Director Holly KnappFinance Director Barb SmalleyDevelopment Director

Kelli LuncefordHousing Director

Jeff ConroyExecutive Director

Newsletter Design Donated by:JC DesignsJeannette@jcdesignscda.com

Color Newsletter Donated by:Allegra Printing

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho201 E. HarrisonCoeur d’ Alene, ID 83814(208)664-3095www.stvincentdepaulcda.org

Message from the Board President

Message from the Executive Director

Happy Summer to all. We are so blessed to live in this beautiful part of God’s country and gladly welcome these warm days of summer. Though the rough winter took a toll on our resources here at St. Vincents’, we made it through and continue to plan and provide the needed services in our community. I hope many of you had the chance

to attend our Party in The Park fundraiser with the Kelly Hughes Band at McCuen park recently. It

was amazing. I am still in awe of how great our community comes together with their time and talent to help put together these events. Thank you to Barb, Andrea, their committees and all the volunteers for their hard work. The proceeds of this fundraiser support our warming center. Hard to think of the need for a warming center in the middle of summer but the need will be evident all too soon. Just as many nonprofits struggle

to come up with funding to support their programs so does St. Vincent. We are always trying to stretch our dollars and be as cost effective as possible. Recently we moved our Post Falls thrift store to a new location in an effort to decrease our expenditures while increasing our marketability and hopefully profitability. As many of you know the Post Falls thrift store encompassed three separate old buildings, requiring staff manning each of these buildings and frequent

repairs. By relocating to one larger building we are able to reduce staff and utilize the old store as a distribution center. The new store, located in a strip mall at 1600 E. Seltice is in a much more visible location with great parking. The distribution center will now allow us to have room to clean and repair appliances and furniture as needed prior to putting them out on the shelves to sell. Other news to share include our

upcoming events like our returning Veterens’ Run, the Fashion Show and a new exciting fundraiser coming up in October (I’ll keep you in suspense so you can read about it in in our newsletter). Thank you again to all our donors and volunteers for all your efforts.Have a Blessed Summer.

One of the “great secrets” of St Vincent de Paul North Idaho is Father Bill’s Kitchen. Every weeknight, Chef Jenny prepares healthy, filling meals for 85-110 people each night. While many see the 85-110 number, we see men, women and children who walk through those doors. For many, it’s the only meal of the day. When working with people in our

community we strive to treat people with respect and dignity. No matter what the reason for a person’s situation, they are human beings who deserve friendship. About a year ago an idea come

about to change the way we serve in Father Bill’s Kitchen. A program

called Dining with Dignity. It was a new way to provide great food but to treat those who come through our door to a friendly, family style dining experience. At the time, people would line up, cafeteria style, and have food served to them. Then guests would simply find a seat and eat. The Dining with Dignity program is based off a program lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, from the rock band Bon Jovi, called Soul Kitchen, where “all are welcome at our table where healthy ingredients, dignity and respect are always on the menu”. The idea is to create an environment where individuals and families can have great food in a warm, welcoming setting and have friendly conversations with each other. Unlike the standard soup kitchen, diners of all socioeconomic backgrounds sit together at communal tables. Currently, 10% of those we serve are college students. Reservations are never needed

and it’s on a first come, first serve basis. Our fantastic Chef Jenny is a

recent graduate of the North Idaho College Culinary program and has brought her amazing talents to our

kitchen. Regularly, she has reached out to some of her friends as Guest Chefs. So on any given evening guests are treated to special deserts, side dishes and salads. Chef Jenny has been creating all of these great meals from groceries provided from the Post Falls Food Bank and local donations. She is a wizard with the meals she creates! I am proud of the programs we

provide at St Vincent de Paul North Idaho. Part of St Vincent’s mission is to create independence in others so they can move on with their lives. Food means different things to different people. I’m even more proud of the amazing people I get to work with every day, and the volunteers who have chosen to take time out of their life to help us serve others. Thank you Outreach Director, John Ernst, HELP Center Manager Heather Eddy and Chef Jenny for moving us in this new direction.

Jeff ConroyExecutive Director

Chris FritzBoard President

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St. Vincent de Paul’s Voice

“Greatness is not judged by the volume of one’s voice or the strength of one’s body. It is the scope of lives touched during our time here on earth”. ~Gandhi John Bruning has touched more lives here in Coeur d’Alene through his volunteering and community involvement than anyone really knows, and at this year’s United Way Luncheon, in a room full of friends, John Bruning was awarded the United Way 2017 Volunteer of the year award. For 29 years John has been involved in St Vincent de Paul housing. John has led the charge for housing for our seniors and people who have a disability. As Board President John oversaw the building of the Lynn Peterson House, Kathy Reed House and the John O’Brien House. He saw the HELP Center become a reality and the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing program come to serve hundreds every year. John also volunteers countless hours at St. Pius Catholic Church and is Chairman of the

Region 1 Homeless Coalition. On the side, he is currently on the board of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation. John served 25 years on the City of Coeur d’Alene Planning and Zoning Commission and in 2008 was elected to the Coeur d’Alene City Council. Even though he knew it would cost him his seat on the council in the 2011 election, he voted for building McEuen Park, and supported other controversial projects such as the Education Corridor, and Mid-town refurbishment. I think we can all agree McEuen is one of the jewels of Coeur d’Alene. There is no doubt in my mind, without John’s quiet leadership our homeless and struggling population would be more visible in North Idaho. His leadership at St. Vincent de Paul has grown this organization which provides emergency shelters for men and women plus housing for many of our most vulnerable citizens.

To the staff of St Vincent de Paul North Idaho he’s known as “The Godfather”. Thank you for always lending a hand when one is needed.

Congratulations John Bruning, 2017 United Way Volunteer of the Year!

John Bruning Awarded Volunteer of the Year

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St. Vincent de Paul’s Voice

YOU CANC R E A T EDISNEYMAGIC TOO

Thursday, October 19 , 2017

An intensely practical seminarapplies to leaders of all levels

Hosted by

Event Sponsor

VIP Meet & Greet Sponsor

Lee CockerellLee Cockerell is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort. “As the Senior Operating Executive for ten years Lee led a team of 40,000 Cast Members and was responsible for the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping & entertainment village and the ESPN sports and recreation complex in addition to the ancillary operations which supported the number one vacation destination in the world”.

“It’s not the magic that makes it work; It’s the way we work that makes it magic” - Lee Cockerell

Hagadone Event Center900 S Floating Green Dr.

Coeur d’Alene, ID

Event RegistrationJune-September $49October 1-18 $59October 19, 2017 $75

Group Discounts available

VIP Meet & Greet at Elk Point $49

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Presents

Tickets online at stvincentdepaulcda.org

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St. Vincent de Paul’s Voice

Veteran’s 5K

Run/Walk

9.24.17

An Opportunity to Support our Past, Present and Future Veterans

Registration 10:00amRace starts at 11:00am

McEuen ParkDowntown Coeur d’Alene

$20 or $15 no shirt option

Register at stvincentdepaulcda.orgor call 208.416.4726 by September 15

to guarantee a t-shirt

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Veterans Program currently includes temporary and long term housing, food, clothing and case management.

20% of the nation’s homeless population are Veterans.

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Presents

Veteran’s 5K

Run/Walk

9.24.17

An Opportunity to Support our Past, Present and Future Veterans

Registration 10:00amRace starts at 11:00am

McEuen ParkDowntown Coeur d’Alene

$20 or $15 no shirt option

Register at stvincentdepaulcda.orgor call 208.416.4726 by September 15

to guarantee a t-shirt

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Veterans Program currently includes temporary and long term housing, food, clothing and case management.

20% of the nation’s homeless population are Veterans.

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Presents

St. Vincent DePaul North Idaho

Family Fall Festival

Veterans

saturday, Octorber 21 4:30 - 8:30P o s t F a l l s n a t i o n a l g u a r d a m o r y

Fun activities, games, food, candy, bounce house, costume contest

t o M i l i t a r y a n d V e t e r a n F a m i l i e sFor information, contact Eric Swanbeck at

208-664-3095, Ext. 314

FREE

St. Vincent DePaul North Idaho

Family Fall Festival

Veterans

saturday, Octorber 21 4:30 - 8:30P o s t F a l l s n a t i o n a l g u a r d a m o r y

Fun activities, games, food, candy, bounce house, costume contest

t o M i l i t a r y a n d V e t e r a n F a m i l i e sFor information, contact Eric Swanbeck at

208-664-3095, Ext. 314

FREE

Come Join us at our Upcoming Events

Hagadone Event Center900 S Floating Green Dr.

Coeur d’Alene, ID

For information on any of these events, you can go to our website at stvincentdepaulcda.org

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St. Vincent de Paul’s Voice

G R A N D O P E N I N G A N D R I B B O N C U T T I N G O F

OUR NEW POST FALLS THRIFT STORE

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St. Vincent de Paul’s Voice

THANKYOU TO ALL WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED US AT ST. VINCENT’S PARTY IN THE PARK

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St. Vincent de Paul’s Voice

Thank you for your GiftsSt. Vincent de Paul North Idaho’s President’s Club

Silver ($1,000-$2,499)Alliance Title & Escrow Corp, Alpha Services LLC , Bibin & Associates CPA PA-Michael Bibin, Cobra

BEC, Inc., Coeur d`Alene Rotary, Columbia Bank, Ladies Auxiliary Foe 486, St. George`s Knights of Columbus Council 12560, Michelle Bild, Romer Brown, Mr. & Mrs. Buechs, Charles & Carol

Cardarelli, Frank & Linda Church, Bill & G`Nell DeLack, William Green, Johnny & Maura Gregg, Rose & Ray Heberer, Catherine Jacobson, Roger & Judith Johnson, Margaret & James Manley,

Robert Oswald, Patrick & Bonnie Parden, Shawn & Sarah Swanby, Gary & Meredith Gaffney, Ron & Christine Fritz, John & Elaine Almquist, William Sturgeon, Patricia Krug, William Tarnasky,

Rita Fofanoff, Shermane & Larry Frei, Thomas & Mary Collier, Mr. & Mrs. James Scharnhorst, Geoffrey & Crystal Emry, Daniel & Elizabeth Adams, James And Peggy Stone,

Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert & Alfreida Gouveia, Paul & Nancy Burton, Rosemary Mcgrath, Mountain West Bank, JoAnn Solberg, St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Bernice Hancock,

Patricia LaMotte, Black Sheep Sporting Goods Gold ($2,500-$4,999)

Mitch & Beth Dremann, Sharla & Scott Harris, Christina & Leo Wright, Eileen Bagan, Gertrude Bush, Randy & Dana Moate, Sandra Angel, Elkslodge No 1254, First Presbyterian Church

Diamond ($5,000)Warren & Deb Fisher, David Riffle, Parishioners of St Thomas Catholic Church, Stan J. Feist

In Memory of Tim Boal Mary Jo Cookson

John F. Dixon

In Memorium