Walk to Support Society of St. Vincent de Paul is Saturday

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul from around the state are challenging their neighbors of all religious traditions to step forward and help people in need by participating in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Friends of the Poor Walk at 9 a.m. on September 20 at Governor Notte Park in North Providence.

The event, now in its seventh year, is the only statewide fundraiser for the non-profit Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an organization that assists people of all religious beliefs by providing emergency utility payments, food, clothing and shelter, along with one-on-one assistance to people in crisis so that they may create their own pathways to independence and success. In 2013, 35 conferences in Rhode Island provided 136,000volunteer hours and more than $890,000 in direct aid to more than 120,000 people in need.

“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul members are here to help people when emergencies arise, such as a death, extended unemployment or a fire in their home,” said Honorary Event Chair and NBC10 Chief Meteorologist Mark Searles. ”They’re an organization helping so many -- confidentially -- during these trying economic times. The volunteers don’t ask for recognition for their efforts but they do need funds to help their mission succeed,” he added.

People can support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul by walking, by sponsoring the walk or by supporting an individual participant.

The one-mile walk is centrally located in North Providence and will offer scenic pond views. Walkers can go to svdpri.org to register or to make a donation. The event is wheelchair accessible and four legged friends (on leashes) are welcome.

Those who are unable or unavailable to participate in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Friends of the Poor Walk can still support the cause by sending a donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 40605, Providence, Rhode Island, 02940. (Write “Friends of the Poor” in the memo line.) All contributions are tax-deductible.

Check-in and last-minute registration for the event will be at 9 a.m. on September 20. The walk will kick off at 10 a.m. and a family fun festival with face painting, pumpkin painting, chowder, hot dogs and baked goods will immediately follow for participants, supporters and their families.

More information about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk and be found by visiting svdpri.org, or by calling 401-490-0822. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk is sponsored by NBC10 and Relevant Radio.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a non-profit, 501(c)3 Catholic lay organization comprised of 700,000 volunteers that serves people of all beliefs in 140 countries throughout the world.