SVdP celebrates Mardi Gras in style!

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Council of Los Angeles held its 2nd Annual Mardi Gras celebration on February 21, 2012 in downtown L.A. Proceeds raised benefit the Society's new Family Housing Program for homeless women and children. For more information about the Society and it's new housing program, call 213-229-9963 or visit www.svdpla.org.

Volunteer at SVdP's shelter in Skid Row displays artistic ability

James Spencer, a volunteer at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Cardinal Manning Center (CMC), helped brighten Christmas for the homeless at the shelter by creating a special holiday scene.

The drawings you see here are located in the men's section of the shelter. Spencer said he created this piece simply because he wanted the men "to have a Merry Christmas."

Thank you, James, for sharing your special talent!

Photo: James Spencer with his Christmas art.

Glamour & charitable work come together at SVdP Store in Los Angeles

Glamour and charitable work came together at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Thrift Store today when the Society's new 'Traveling Boutique' was introduced prior to the store's 1st Thanksgiving basket distribution.

Society President Claire Padama spoke about the fashion van - the first of its kind for a non-profit in Los Angeles - and how it will help further enhance the Society's visibility and work for the local homeless and disadvantaged. It was Claire's dream that St. Vincent de Paul have a fashion van.

Society Store Director Tony Terrazas, who designed the store turkey distribution, thanked AAA Rubbish, Inc. and Athens Services for sponsoring the holiday giveaway. More than 120 local families benefited from the distribution, as each received a turkey and all the fixings.

St. Vincent de Paul Deputy Executive Director David Garcia welcomed everyone and served as the emcee.

Photos (top-bottom): Society President Claire Padama introduces the Traveling Boutique; Standing near the new fashion van are (l-r): Society Store Director Tony Terrazas, Fashion Van Art Designer Mary Hickey, Society Deputy Executive Director David Garcia and Claire Padama; Holding a Thanksgiving basket is Tony Terrazas (l) alongside Donny Beal of AAA Rubbish; KCBS/KCAL TV News covers the special event.

Winter shelter manager reaches autumn of his life

~ Colleen Cason at ccason@VCStar.com

As the nights get cooler and Thanksgiving approaches, Tom McLaughlin's thoughts turn to the big meal.

He orders enough meat, potatoes, vegetables and biscuits to feed 100 or so guests. He makes sure public transit can transport them to the feed. He gets more than 100 blankets and towels laundered so guests can stay the night. He establishes a rapport with city officials, police and the National Guard, in case of trouble. And there is always trouble. He hires a service to clean up afterward.

This big meal is not Thanksgiving, although those who eat it may feel gratitude. Or not; McLaughlin is fine with it either way. This is the nightly dinner served to the homeless at the winter warming shelter, which will open Dec. 1 in the National Guard Armory in Ventura. The shelter, run by the nonprofit Society of Vincent de Paul, alternates each year between Oxnard and Ventura.

For the past nine Novembers, McLaughlin — the shelter manager — has devoted his life to making sure the refuge opens every night prepared to provide homeless men, women and children a safe, warm place to sleep until the shelter closes in March.

This year is different, though. This year, McLaughlin of Thousand Oaks is fighting for his life. Diagnosed with melanoma, he had surgery last fall. He later learned the disease had metastasized. Melanoma is among the worst of the bad actors in all cancer land after it spreads.

After a patient is diagnosed with Stage 3, the end usually comes quickly.

McLaughlin said he is not quite a Stage 3 patient; the cancer has not invaded his organs or bones.

An experimental drug shrank his tumors. But after his second treatment, he couldn't get out of bed, sleeping 22 hours a day.

McLaughlin quit taking the drug a few weeks ago and says he feels better now. When we talked last week, the father of eight looked younger than his 79 years.

McLaughlin admits he stopped the drug in part because it would have rendered him incapable of getting the shelter up and running this year.

His dedication is known to everyone who sees him at work.

"I have volunteered at the shelter and was so impressed at how he treated the clients with such dignity, humor and camaraderie," said Nora Howells, co-founder of the No Room at the Inn fundraiser for the homeless.

McLaughlin insists everyone who stays at the shelter be called a guest. He makes sure volunteers or staff serve them their dinner plates. No standing in a soup line for them.

He feeds the guests supersized meals and plans on their demolishing 10 ounces of potatoes each night. His wife of 56 years, Audrey, bakes cupcakes twice a week as a treat for the guests.

After his own hard-luck childhood, McLaughlin developed a heart for the down and out.

His pre-employment screening for the paid staff consists of this question, "If a nasty drunk is calling you obscene names and then vomits all over you, what would you do?"

If they answer anything but "clean it up," McLaughlin doesn't hire them.

"Tom is out there working among the lilies of the field, clothing the naked, the hungry and consoling the frightened and embracing the leper," said Jack McGee, who successfully nominated McLaughlin for the Jefferson Award for service in 2004.

McLaughlin is the king of understatement.

"It's not a healthy population," he said of the homeless who will stream into the armory this winter.

Some arrive with head lice, scabies, AIDS and MRSA, a vicious form of staph infection.

He lays in a supply of gloves for employees to delouse the guests or clean up their body fluids.

A retired scientist who worked for Hewlett-Packard when it was a startup, McLaughlin discovered he was effective in getting things done for the underprivileged. A deeply religious man, he considers it a sign he is doing what he should be.

This year, though, Audrey is not so sure. She wants him to go back on the treatments.

"Fatigue won't kill you. Melanoma will," she tells him.

McLaughlin does plan to turn over management of the shelter to his successor in mid-December.

Then, with his oncologist, he will decide if continuing the experimental treatment makes sense.

He changes the subject back to the shelter. Coffee. The shelter needs someone to donate coffee, sugar and creamer. To McLaughlin, it just won't do to have guests and not offer them their morning Cup Of Joe.

Star file photo: Tom McLaughlin of Thousand Oaks sets up some burners to heat up some chili at the Winter Warming Shelter at the Ventura Armory in 2008.

Friends of the Society meet in Pasadena

The Friends of the Society - a group of individuals who assist the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Council of Los Angeles with future events, donors and more - recently met at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena.

During the special luncheon, St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director David Fields showed a PowerPoint presentation about the Society's latest activities. A discussion was then held on how the Society and its team of 'Friends' can further collaborate in helping the homeless and disadvantaged.

Limited seats available for Saturday's May 7 benefit

Honoree: Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.
Founder and Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program

6:00 p.m. – Reception and Silent Auction

7:30 p.m. – Dinner, Live Auction, Program and Dancing

Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA

Benefits the Society's Circle V Ranch Camp & Cardinal Manning Center (shelter) in Skid Row

Tickets: $300 per person

Sponsorships: Title Sponsor $25,000; Diamond Sponsor $10,000; Gold Sponsor $5,000; Silver Sponsor $3,500

For Sponsorships: Phil Rapa at (818) 244-7175

TAX ID #: #95-1644622

This Saturday: An Honor for Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.

Honoree: Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.
Founder and Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program

6:00 p.m. – Reception and Silent Auction

7:30 p.m. – Dinner, Live Auction, Program and Dancing

Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA

Benefits the Society's Circle V Ranch Camp & Cardinal Manning Center (shelter) in Skid Row

Tickets: $300 per person

Sponsorships: Title Sponsor $25,000; Diamond Sponsor $10,000; Gold Sponsor $5,000; Silver Sponsor $3,500

For Sponsorships: Phil Rapa at (818) 244-7175

TAX ID #: #95-1644622

An Evening with the Society: Honoring Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.

Honoree: Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.
Founder and Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program

6:00 p.m. – Reception and Silent Auction

7:30 p.m. – Dinner, Live Auction, Program and Dancing

Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA

Benefits the Society's Circle V Ranch Camp & Cardinal Manning Center (shelter) in Skid Row

Tickets: $300 per person

Sponsorships: Title Sponsor $25,000; Diamond Sponsor $10,000; Gold Sponsor $5,000; Silver Sponsor $3,500

For Sponsorships: Phil Rapa at (818) 244-7175

TAX ID #: #95-1644622

A letter from a homeless man

This is a letter that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Our Lady of Charity Conference (group of dedicated volunteers) in Lancaster recently received from a homeless individual who was thankful for the help he received from our dedicated ‘Vincentian’ volunteers. Note: Click on letter to enlarge.

Make your plans to honor Sister Alice M. Quinn, D.C.

Honoree: Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.
Founder and Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program

6:00 p.m. – Reception and Silent Auction

7:30 p.m. – Dinner, Live Auction, Program and Dancing

Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA

Benefits the Society's Circle V Ranch Camp & Cardinal Manning Center (shelter) in Skid Row

Tickets: $300 per person

Sponsorships: Title Sponsor $25,000; Diamond Sponsor $10,000; Gold Sponsor $5,000; Silver Sponsor $3,500

For Sponsorships: Phil Rapa at (818) 244-7175

TAX ID #: #95-1644622

Honoring Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.

Honoree: Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C.
Founder and Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program

6:00 p.m. – Reception and Silent Auction

7:30 p.m. – Dinner, Live Auction, Program and Dancing

Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA

Benefits the Society's Circle V Ranch Camp & Cardinal Manning Center (shelter) in Skid Row

Tickets: $300 per person

Sponsorships: Title Sponsor $25,000; Diamond Sponsor $10,000; Gold Sponsor $5,000; Silver Sponsor $3,500

For Sponsorships: Phil Rapa at (818) 244-7175

TAX ID #: #95-1644622

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.