L.A. Dodgers Pitcher Javy Guerra invites you to support SVdPLA

Pitcher Javy Guerra of the Los Angeles Dodgers encourages you to support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and its charitable programs in the counties of L.A., Ventura and Santa Barbara.  For more information on how you can have your tax-deductible usable donations picked up for FREE, please call 800-974-3571 or visit the Society's web page.

SVdP participates in 8th Annual Lincoln Heights Christmas Parade

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Council of Los Angeles participated in the 8th Annual Lincoln Heights Christmas Parade yesterday.

Traveling west down Broadway in one of the historic sections of Los Angeles, Society President Claire Padama and Executive Director David Fields waved to the crowd from a blue Mustang convertible. St. Vincent de Paul's new Traveling Boutique was also decorated and followed the convertible in the parade.

Society participants included Salvador Salgado (banner carrier), Patricia Guerrero & Stephanie Amesola (both passed out magnets & candy), Jesse Clemente (drove the convertible) and Sam Urive (drove the fashion van).

Photos (top-bottom): Society President Claire Padama & Executive Director David Fields; St. Vincent de Paul's entry on the parade route; Patricia Guerrero hands out Society donation magnets; Stephanie Amesola hands out candy canes to excited children; Merry Christmas to all from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Council of Los Angeles.

The Society in the Community

If you attended the Olde Tyme Flea Market at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Sunday, you saw the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's information booth at the main gate beneath the famed Rose Bowl sign.

SVdP Store Director Tony Terrazas and Store Supervisor Isidro Casas manned the booth and walked around the Rose Bowl grounds distributing 2,500 Society pens and 1,500 donation magnets to customers and vendors alike.

"I think people noticed us. I was really happy," said Tony. "There were many people in attendance and we took advantage of the time we were there."

The flea market, which is held the second Sunday of every month, will see the Society there again in May. This time, besides having general information about the Society, Tony will also have small items for sale from the thrift stores.

On Sunday, April 17, St. Vincent de Paul will be at the Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market at Veterans Stadium, 4901 E. Conant St., 90808. SVdP will be located in the blue space from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free Society pens and donation magnets, as well as jewelery for sale.

Information: 323-224-6291.

Photo: Tony Terrazas (right) and Isidro Casas (left) talk to a customer at the Rose Bowl about the Society's donation program.

Save the Date - April 2, 2011

Hike for the Homeless on April 2 in beautiful Griffith Park in Los Angeles and witness the beauty that surrounds this iconic city.

Adults, students and pets on leashes are invited to hike the 2.64 mile Fern Canyon Trail or 2 mile Old Zoo trail at their own pace, beginning at 8:15 a.m. near the Merry-go-round lot.

Registration is just $25 for adults, $15 for students and $5 for pets, with all proceeds benefiting the Society’s of St. Vincent de Paul’s Cardinal Manning Center and its work with homeless men and women with children. Registration includes a t-shirt, refreshments and a light breakfast. Various sponsorship packages are also available.

For more information and to register, go to www.hike4thehomeless.com or call 213-229-9970.