Walkers of all ages turn out for Vincentian’s Friends of the Poor Walk to benefit the needy

By Danielle Yuthas

The St. Vincent de Paul society in Denver hosted its first annual walk to benefit the poor on the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul Saturday, Sept. 27 at Confluence Park.  This year marks the 175th anniversary of the society.

Societies of St. Vincent de Paul hold similar walks worldwide each year in 142 countries.  Denver’s inaugural walk was just 3 kilometers so people of all ages and agility levels could participate.  Over 100 people came out on a perfectly sunny day to show their generosity and commitment to helping the needy.  Nearly $15,000 was raised.  The fundraiser relied on pledges gathered by walkers.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society was originally coined The Conference of Charity and was founded by 20-year-old Frédéric Ozanam in France in 1831. It spread to the United States in 1845 and began in Denver at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 1888.  Currently, more than 650,000 active members, known as Vincentians, assist the poor.  It is a very hands-on organization that strives to personally and privately deliver practical help and spiritual guidance to people in need.  There are 28 conferences in the Denver metro area alone.

The organization’s patron St. Vincent de Paul is known as “The Apostle of Charity” and “Father of the Poor.” Vincentians believe his services shaped the role of the Church in the modern world.
Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Denver Metro Area, Steve Pratt, said the society decided to bring the walk to Denver in order to raise awareness of homelessness.

“Every dollar raised stays here in Denver to help people in our own community,” he said.
John Myers, president of the Denver Metro Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society added, “It’s very personal work.  We help people when they don’t know where to turn.”

Vincentians go into people’s homes and learn about their situation and offer nonjudgmental advice and aid.  The society aims to help clients achieve stability and independence.

“We try to help people with a hand up not a hand out,” Myers said.

Most Precious Blood School has a service group that gives youths a chance to help the community.  Twelve-year-old service group member Maggie Smith participated in the walk because she said she “really wanted to help the poor and support it.”

Smith’s 12-year-old classmate Austin Bieber, added, “The Vincentians founded our school and it’s good to give back.”

Josh Wise is a volunteer who is committed to the Vincentians’ mission of servicing the poor.  He said he is involved because, “it helps me to become the person I want to be.”

For information on the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and to find conference locations throughout Denver visit svdpden.org online or call 303-960-9163.  Those in the Denver metro area in need of the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s assistance can turn to a church in their area to be connected with a conference.