Founder's Day Annual Letter of Appeal for Funding Support!  
 April 23, 2020
Dear Neighbors & Friends,
 
Our Annual Founder’s Day appeal is coming to you at one of the most challenging times in our country’s history.  We are approaching the mid-point of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Stay at Home” orders have closed all but essential businesses until May 26.  All schools and churches are closed.  Some of our neighbors have died…35,483 nation-wide died at the time of this writing.  Certainly, a test of faith…Where is Jesus in all of this?
 
I have a surprising answer.  It seems Our Father uses experiences of this nature to make His love known and to bring forth disciples to make it shown!  This year, your own St Joseph Conference demonstrates this movement of the Spirit!  Over 100 years ago, our Conference was founded during the fall of 1918!
 
At that very time, the world was in the throes of the pandemic known as the “Spanish Flu.”  This virus driven disease killed 50 million persons worldwide, including 675,000 in the United States.  The pandemic struck while the First World War raged!  It peaked in the fall of 1918, just as WWI ended.  Locally, Marinette had a “health ban” (stay-at-home-order) from December 17, 1918 to January 11, 1919 and we practiced social distancing.  It was at this very time that the Spirit led parishioners of St Joseph Parish to imitate St. Vincent de Paul and Frederic Ozanam by reaching out to their neighbors hurting and in need to show them the Father’s love and caring.  This continues to this day by the grace of the Blessed Trinity.
 
Later this year, God willing, we will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of our October 24, 1920 Aggregation Application which was accepted by our International Headquarters in Paris, France.  Our anniversary celebration year will culminate with the Eucharist at the 4:00 pm mass on Saturday, October 24, 2020.  The Presider will be the Most Reverend Bishop David L. Ricken.
 
Now, just as a hundred years ago, we have many families hurting and in need.  The need is great:  all non-essential businesses are closed, record unemployment, utility bills and rents need to be paid….families must go on in this stressful environment.  
 
Please be Generous! Donations are tax deductible. 
 
May the Peace of the Risen Christ be with you,
 
 
David Harper, Conference Spiritual Advisor                         
Society of St Vincent de Paul
St Joseph SSVdP Conference
          I/We pledge support in the following amount:
 
  $25       $50        $100         $250        $500       $1000   or $_____________
 
     My/Our contribution is enclosed – checks made Payable to SJC-SSVdP
   Will make monthly payments over next 12 months beginning May 2020
   My employer will match my contribution- Employer___________________________________
   I wish to be an anonymous donor.
   Monthly Automated credit or debit card in amount of $_________.  Click on DONATE button above right hand corner!! 
 
 NAME_______________________________________    Home Telephone: _____________
  
Address_______________________________________________________________________________
 
City   _______________________      State       ____                                           Zip Code ________________________
 
This gift made   ð   In Memory     OR     ð   In Honor of ________________________________
 
The St Joseph SSVdP Conference - Marinette holds a certificate as a WI Charitable Organization and is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization. 
 
Return to St Joseph Conference – Marinette WI of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul:
 
SJC-SSVdP
P.O. Box 563
Marinette Wi 54143-0563
 
NOTE:  We are a Tri City Area United Way PARTNER Agency; therefore, your employee contribution can be designated to:
                                              “SJC-SSVdP”    –   St Joseph Conference - Marinette  WI of the Society of St Vincent de Paul ​


                                           ANNUAL PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

                                                                      Back to School 2nd Quarter Fund Raising Event
We provide area children living in families of need with school supplies and new set of clothes and shoes for the first day of school. 2018-2019 year  492 Children and youth (0-19 years) in 224 families Budget $12000 INCOME $11400 EXPENSES for 2018-2019 -- 2017-2018 Income $ 4315 plus in-kind $4825 Expenses $6572 -- Loss of $2257 - due to fact we gave each child $25. Walmart or Shopko or KMart or TJ Maxx or Kohl's gift card. Additional Gifts of $4825 in $25 Gift card. First year did not have adoption of children - rather just collected school supplies from the communities of Marinette, Peshtigo and Walsh. It is very important in raising self-esteem, that the children be allowed to select their own first day of school new clothing and shoes. Expenses $6572: $25 gift cards for 393 students in 131 families = $9825 – only had to buy $5000 for 200 students plus School Supplies/BackPacks = $1572    Food for Volunteers purchased by Thrivent $250 credit card.

Children and youth (0-19 years)       $12,000 GOAL   Area served:  Marinette and Peshtigo Cities and Towns of Peshtigo, Grover, Porterfield, WI

                                                                Christmas Gift Basket 4th Quarter Fund Raising Event
We provide area children 0-19 with Christmas presents of need and a few of Santa's Wish items for families in need in our community. We also provide the family with a $25. Food Gift Card for Christmas meal. Population(s) served * 367 Children and youth (0-19 years) in 144 Families Budget $8000 INCOME $5000 EXPENSES for 2018-2019 -- Last year 2017-2018 Income $ 7554 Expenses $5140 - Profit for our Basic Human Needs $2414 providing families and individuals with rental assistance, heat, water, electric to avoid shut off, fuel, medications, gas for medical appts, auto repairs, etc. Expenses $5140: Gifts for unadopted children. Food for Volunteers purchased by Thrivent $250 credit card.
accessibilityPopulation(s) served *
Children and youth (0-19 years)Families   $10,000 GOAL  Area served:  Marinette and Peshtigo Cities and Towns of Peshtigo, Grover, Porterfield, WI

                                                           Freezin' 4 Reasons 1st Quarter Fund Raising Event
Raising awareness and funding for homeless families in our service area. The funds are used to provide immediate shelter for homeless families, or to ensure shelter for families being evicted or threatened with shut off of utilities. Population(s) served * Homeless Families – keeping from eviction or utilities shut off Budget $10,000 2018-2019 -- Last year 2017-2018 Income $ 7650 Expenses $238 - Profit for Basic Human Needs $7650 providing families and individuals with rental assistance, heat, water, electric to avoid shut off, fuel, medications, gas for medical appts, auto repairs, etc. Expenses $238: Food for event – covered by Thrivent $250 credit card. Catholic Financial donated $500 to the cause.
                      Families                       $10,000 GOAL      Area served:  Marinette and Peshtigo Cities and Towns of Peshtigo, Grover, Porterfield, WI

                                                       Friends of the Poor - "Family Fun" Walk -  3rd Quarter Fund Raising Event
We raise funds to avoid shutoff of water, heat and/or electric utilities for families and individuals in need, including disabled and elderly Population(s) served * Families, Aging, disabled, elderly, senior citizens Budget $8,000 2018-2019 -- Last year 2017-2018 Income $ 200 Expenses $341: covered by Grant from Thrivent of $250 to cover t-shirts and food with credit card and check from Thielen Funeral Home of $200 to cover portions of the T Shirts - only expense. 
Families, Aging, elderly, senior citizens    $8,000 GOAL  Area served:  Marinette and Peshtigo Cities and Towns of Peshtigo, Grover, Porterfield, WI

                                           Twinning with our St Ponsiano Uganda SSVdP Conference in Lugazi Diocese
Self-Sufficient Events - Bake Sales held three times a year at STAA Schools (Elementary and High School) as well as after weekend masses at Holy Family Parish. Also sweep at InVenture North business parking lot four times a year. These two activities and a member donation of approximately $200 each Quarter fund our twinning donations of $500 during each of the four quarters of the year. St Ponsiano Vincentians purchase prosthetics, wheelchairs, roofing, tarps, dig wells or latrines, food, clothing, micro-loans, etc. to the people of the Lugazi Diocese, which they call FINS (Friends In Need of Services), that our St Ponsiano SSVdP Youth Conference serves. Budget $2,000 - Covered by $150 each Quarter and around $350 from each Bake Sale and St Joseph Conference Member Donations of around $200 per Quarter.
                                                      Send $2,000 Annual to St. Ponsiano SSVdP Youth Conference in Lugazi Diocese - Uganda