For 175 years, the St. Vincent de Paul Society has offered assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. This aid may take the form of intervention, consultation or often through direct dollar or in-kind service. Some 12 million persons are helped annually by the society in the United States.

Dennis Harris, 48, lives on the north side of downtown Denver. Visually impaired and on Social Security, he makes his living working various jobs, often grounds keeping and general maintenance. He most recently worked for the janitorial staff at the Democratic National Convention but he also works at the Pepsi Center or Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City whenever he gets a call. He is also a volunteer at Annunciation Church, working holidays or whenever the staff needs his help. It was there that he first heard about the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

“They helped me with several things,” he said. “First they paid my utility bill which meant they wouldn’t shut off the power. They also bought some of my medication and some groceries. I know it may not sound like much, but I really appreciated what they did. I hope more people will find out about the help they can get. If it hadn’t been for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, I wouldn’t be living here now.”

Annie Harvey is 73, on a fixed income and is helping her daughter raise her four teenage grandchildren. She has arthritis and uses a walker to get around. She said that recently her family was in danger of losing their electricity and if it hadn’t been for the hand extended to her by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, she doesn’t know what she would have done.
“I didn’t want to ask for help because so many places can’t or won’t help you,” Harvey said. “But one day I was visiting with friends who told me about a place where I might go to get some help. I want to help my daughter all I can so I got in touch with them. They paid my light bill.”
Harvey said that her daughter now has a good job working for an insurance company and the family is doing better. The St. Vincent de Paul Society’s aid helped make that possible.

“All I got to say is that it’s a beautiful place with beautiful people who are real nice,” she said. “If they can help you, they’ll do that.”

Ricardo Debora, 48, had worked in the computer business for 15 years when he got the idea of opening up his own shop. Despite being confined to a wheelchair for 40 years due to polio, Debora never stopped dreaming. His dream almost got side-tracked when his wheelchair broke and as soon as he got a replacement, the battery went dead.

“It was a friend in my neighborhood who told me about St. Vincent de Paul,” Debora said. “I spoke with a very nice woman named Anita who came to my home and arranged for me to get a new battery for my chair.”

But the assistance from the society didn’t end there.

“I was trying to start my own computer store and didn’t have the money for the first month’s rent,” he said. “Again, St. Vincent de Paul came to the rescue and today, my business, High Tech Computer, is open.”

Debora said that the society also helped in distributing flyers promoting his business and today, he’s keeping quite busy.

“I’m working on desk tops and laptops; it’s keeping me real busy. They helped me get open and get started. It’s been great.”

For the society, one’s neighbor is anyone in need. To observe the society’s landmark anniversary, the public is invited to participate in the Sept. 27 Friends of the Poor Walk at Confluence Park by either becoming a walker or sponsoring one. There is no registration fee.

Proceeds will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society. For more information, contact the society’s Denver Metro Council at 303-960-9163.