Close to 750 people enjoy Thanksgiving Day festivities in Pomona

Close to 750 children, women and men enjoyed a FREE hot Thanksgiving Day meal at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Joseph Conference's 12th Annual Community Thanksgiving Day event in Pomona.

The event also included entertainment and a surprise visit from Santa Claus.

"We expected to serve 500 people, but we saw a 50% climb over that number," said Henry Cabrera, president of the Society's St. Joseph Conference. "It just goes to show you that there are still many people in need, and we see it first-hand on a daily basis. However, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves."

As it had for the past 11 years, Jouni’s Catering in Upland supplied the food and the cooks. Owner Yakoub Jouni, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church and a member of St. Joseph’s American Arab Catholic Community (AACC) said that he is thankful that he and his family can share the holiday with others.

Also assisting with the feast was the AACC, the Knights of Columbus, Council 877 - which helped start this annual event with Jouni's Catering - and St. Joseph's young people.

Please visit the Society's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/svdpla to view some videos from the turkey event.

In addition, to view a news story from Black Friday at St. Vincent de Paul's thrift stores, click on the KABC logo on the right side of this blog.

Photos: Top - This young food critic approves the meal; Bottom - Santa visits the children.

Black Friday $ale brings out countless shoppers in tough economy

With a tough economy still rearing its ugly head, today's 2nd Annual Black Friday Extravaganza at the Society's stores in L.A., Long Beach and Oxnard attracted many shoppers seeking bargains on trendy fashion, home decor, jewlery, hidden treasures and more.

And bargains they found, as the majority of store items were discounted 50% off. And that's already on top of St. Vincent de Paul's everyday low prices. Today's sale was a win-win, as the revenue also will benefit the Society's various local charitable programs.

Photos: Top - Michael Linder of KABC Radio News speaks to a customer; Below - Shoppers wait in line to purchase their treasures.

In Bad Economy, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores Holds 2nd Annual Black Friday $ale TODAY!

As millions of Americans continue to struggle in this bad economy, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is here to try and make Christmas a little brighter for children, women and men.

The local Society will hold its 2nd Annual Black Friday Extravaganza TODAY, November 27, at its three thrift store locations in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oxnard. Shoppers will not only save HUGE dollars on Christmas gifts, but the store revenue will help the Society's charitable services for families and individuals who have very little at this time of the year.

The Black Friday sale at each St. Vincent de Paul store will include 50% storewide savings (some exclusions apply).

Shoppers will find trendy fashion, fine home decor, hidden treasures and much more at a fraction of the retail price!

"There are many people who are still struggling to make ends meet in this challenging economy. We want to make it easier for them to shop for Christmas, so that they can enjoy this blessed time of the year with their family and friends," said Tony Terrazas, store director for the Society's L.A. Council, which serves the counties of L.A., Ventura and Santa Barbara. "This sale also benefits our charitable services to the thousands of children, women and men who are seeking St. Vincent de Paul's assistance during the holiday season."

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's stores can be found at:

* LOS ANGELES: 210 N. Avenue 21, L.A., CA 90031 / 323-224-6280. Sale will go from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

* LONG BEACH: 2750 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90804 / 562-494-9955. Sale will go from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

* OXNARD: 1258 Saviers Road, 93033 / 805-487-1500. Sale will go from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free popcorn also will be available.

For more information, please call 323-224-6273.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Society's L.A. Council and a special birthday wish!

May you enjoy this day with your family and friends, and reflect on all that the Lord has blessed you with!

AND...a very special Happy Birthday to L.A. Council President Jim Weiss. Happy Birthday, sir!

ESPN lunch event helps raise funds for future homeless shelter computer lab

A special raffle at yesterday's 710 ESPN 'Lunch with a Legend' with filmmaker Spike Lee at Morton's the Steakhouse in Los Angeles helped raise more than $1,100 to build a computer lab at the Council's Cardinal Manning Center in Skid Row.

The future lab will not only benefit the residents at the downtown shelter, but also the homeless on the streets.

"Our goal is to help as many families and individuals to become self-sufficient. And in this day-and-age, learning basic computer skills and having access to a computer can make all the difference," said Joan Sotiros, director of the Society's shelter program, which also includes the upcoming West Ventura County Winter Shelter.

Keeping with the theme of Lee's New York roots, the raffle items included the following:

* A Denzel Washington photo collage and autographed World Champion Los Angeles
Lakers autographed photo;
* New York native and former Laker Kareem Abdul Jabbar framed autographed photo with
a signed Larry Bird card included;
* Brooklyn Dodgers framed autographed photo by three former New York team player.

The Society is still in need of financial gifts to help furnish and open the computer lab. For more information, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please call 213-229-9970.

Photos: Top - Council of L.A. Deputy Executive Director David Fields (for right) and his wife, Eleanor, with Spike Lee; Bottom - Andrew Siciliano (left) and former Laker Mychal Thompson (right), hosts of ESPN's 'LA Sports Live,' share a laugh with Spike Lee during a live radio interview.

Jouni’s Café & SVdP's St. Joseph Conference in Pomona to serve 12th Annual Thanksgiving Day Meal

Jouni’s Café of Upland and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s St. Joseph Conference in Pomona invite the public to attend their 12th annual FREE community Thanksgiving Day meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, November 26 at St. Joseph Church, 1150 W. Holt Avenue, Pomona.

Henry Cabrera, president of the Society’s St. Joseph Conference, a group of ‘Vincentian’ volunteers who help improve the lives of local children and families throughout the year, anticipates serving 500 meals this Thanksgiving.

It was Jouni who originally came up with the idea to stage this Thanksgiving Day community meal.

“I believe in giving to the community. It makes you feel good and I really enjoy it. My family and I are Arab-Christians and we believe in helping others. I hope this meal helps brighten the holidays for those who need some help and comfort during a difficult time in our economy,” he said.

Jouni, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church and a member of St. Joseph’s American Arab Catholic Community (AACC) said that he enjoys Thanksgiving because it allows he and his family to share this day with others. Jouni added that this interaction also allows “Me to show my kids that they are no better than other people. I feel this is an important lesson to teach children.”

Also assisting with the feast will be the AACC and the Knights of Columbus, Council 877.

Information: (909) 469-9773.

A Christmas Angel bestows gifts to young children

What happens when you combine an Angel, a Christmas tree, some stuffed animals and children? An early Christmas!

The Society's Council of L.A. particpated in Sunday's 35th Annual East Los Angeles Christmas Parade, where 'Angel' Marissa Alvarez gave one stuffed animal to a young child along the parade route. Within seconds, a mass of children converged on the Society's decorated truck and were rewarded with numerous stuffed animals.

Watch for the Society's Christmas truck, along with a live angel and Christmas scene on December 6 in the 65th Northeast Los Angeles Holiday Parade.

Information: 323-224-6273.