SOCIETY IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS HOLIDAY PARADE

Photo: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles' Deputy Executive Director David Garcia at the wheel of the Society's rented Mustang convertible with Society board president Claire Padama and executive director David Fields waving to the crowds at the Lincoln Heights 10th Annual Holiday Parade and Festival Sunday, December 8, 2013. Garcia is also a member of the board of directors for the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce. Society "elves" handed out candy canes to the many spectators on North Broadway in Lincoln Heights.

SOCIETY IN HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTMAS PARADE

Photo: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles' Board President Claire Padama and deputy executive director Susana Santana in the Highland Park Christmas Parade Dec. 1, 2013.

OMGC THANKSGIVING FOOD TO THE NEEDY

Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles' Our Mother of Good Counsel Conference in Los Angeles gave Thanksgiving dinner fixings to the needy Saturday, November 23, 2013. Society Board President and OMGC Vincentian Claire Padama said, "We gave more baskets this year than usual because of the economy. It was 80 before, this year 105." Padama said recipients received turkey or ham, pasta, rice and beans, canned goods and food scrip among other items.

Photo: OMGC Vincentians Penny and Harry.

NEEDY FAMILIES FLOCK TO TURKEY GIVE-AWAY

"May God bless all of the people who made this possible," said Gabby, a recipient at the Turkey Give-away Nov. 25, 2013, organized by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles, and held in the council's Los Angeles thrift store parking lot from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. 150 recipients each received a frozen turkey and a bag filled with turkey dinner fixings, plus rolls and Pumpkin Pie.  

"Thanks for helping us every year," said Julio Perez. "We are glad for organizations like yours that help the community." Corporate sponsors of the event were: Vons, Shoe Palace, AAA Rubbish, Turner Techtronics, Universal Protection and Datastream. "The blessing is for us," said Donny Beal, Vice President of Operations for AAA Rubbish. "It's an honor for us to give back."

"No Act of Charity is Foreign to the Society," said Society executive director David Fields to the crowd of recipients.  "Charity means love and we're here to give you love today in the form of food at Thanksgiving." "Thank you so much for everything," said a woman named Rosmery, "We appreciate it."

 Photos: (Top) 150 recipients (Bottom) Donny Beal of AAA Rubbish gives a turkey to a recipient.

DAVID FIELDS MEETS MAYOR GARCETTI

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti visited the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon in Los Angeles, Thursday November 21, 2013, welcomed by an enthusiastic 100 attendees. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles' Deputy Executive Director David Garcia is a member of the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce board. Seven Society staff members attended the event and Society board member and the Region Superintendent, LA City Recreation and Parks, Mark Mariscal, introduced Society executive director David Fields to Mayor Garcetti. "The mayor has some sense of who we are," said Fields.  "We look forward to getting to know him further."

Photo: (Left to Right) Mark Mariscal, David Fields and Mayor Garcetti.

LOW-INCOME FAMILIES SOUGHT FOR FREE TURKEY DINNERS!

Society staff members and Vincentians packed 150 bags of Thanksgiving dinner fixings today to be distributed with turkeys next Monday, November 25, 2013 at 10am at the Society's Los Angeles thrift store. Needy families seeking a free Thanksgiving dinner should RSVP to Vincentian Services at 888-552-7872 and should arrive at the store before 10am for their meal. Much to be thankful for!

A SPANISH-LANGUAGE ARTICLE ON THE SOCIETY IN 'VIDA NUEVA'

Vida Nueva - noticias y recursos para inmigrantes hispanos en Los Angeles - Arquidiocesis