Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2009

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of you wonderful people.

Once again for the 9th year in a row so many of you have been on board to help the disadvantaged people trying to live a normal life. Your work and concern has been so needed especially this year with the economy on the down side.

We are in the midst of moving in the St. Vincent dePaul Center for Charitable Services, hopefully by the middle of Jan. . The Welcome Center's food pantry, clothes give-away, and some furniture have outgrown our building and is taking a lot of time away from the other needs of our immigrant friends. St. Vincent dePaul and the Welcome Center will be sharing those needs.

Bob Kell and his group of volunteers have done a wonderful job keeping everything together in feeding, clothing, teaching building skills, translating, helping with documents, teaching ESL, befriending, and so much more. Our annual clothing drive was able to warm between 300-400 people this year thanks to your generosity. Many people came in several times with more coats, mittens & hats, many straight out of a store. For many heartwarming pictures you can it on the blog.

There are so many people to thank once again like BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation of MN., Foldcraft, the City of Faribault, and many other foundations & individuals, the Daily News, KDHL for reaching everyone with their positive stories, and all of you for keeping this wonderful program together for the betterment of not only the disadvantaged, but the community who are being enriched by the many cultures that have adorned our town. I wish I could name all of you angels.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be president of the Diversity Coalition this past 9 years and privileged to help with this new venture, St. Vincent dePaul for Charitable Services. Bill Lewis has been able to get this organization going with quite a few road blocks, but thanks to Church of Divine Mercy, State Bank of Faribault, 1st United Bank, Premier Bank, C&S Vending for like new refrigerators & freezers for the food pantry and 100+ volunteers and concerned citizens have been able to help so many disadvantaged people with food, clothing and money for the homeless and in some cases that are being displaced if they can't pay all of their rent.

I can't reiterate enough how thankful I am to all of you that read my blogs, read these emails, and respond to so many needs of many this past 9 years and especially this year. We are all children of God, not only you but those you are helping and befriending. If we help just one person or family from suffering from hunger, cold or hopelessness I think our life here on earth will have been a good one.

May you all have a sincere Merry Christmas & Happy New year and will be looking forward to seeing and working with each and everyone of you this coming year. As I listen to "Silent Night" & "O Holy Night" I think of each and everyone of you.

Have a gentle day, Milo

Christmas/New Years message from Bob Kell

The advantage of snowfalls is that it slows life's flow and leaves a few moments for reflection and gratitude. Another year is coming to an end, giving occasion to voice a thank you to so many that have supported the Welcome Center and the people with whom we work. We realize that there are so many in this community and beyond that are committed to creating a welcoming world, and they have done so much toward that end by their actions and their words. Volunteer teachers, those assisting to provide food, funders who believe in the work we do, mentors and partners that teach and strengthen, others in the community who do their own work to build community and celebrate diversity...we all need to thank them for what their input means. We have reason to celebrate too the beauty that immigrants and refugees bring to the community, as they support one another, struggle for their families, and work to become part of this one life we share. It has been a difficult year for many, as unemployment has taken its toll. But the perseverance is strong. We look forward to the New Year and to the promise it holds. As long as people are working together to make sure no one is left behind, we will find a way.

With gratitude,

Bob Kell, Welcome Center Director

News from St. Vincent de Paul & Faribault Diversity Coalition

To all our friends:

Well we're good to go, the city has signed off, the old Sacred Heart School is being cleaned and painted, C & S Vending & Bethlehem Academy have given freezers & refrigerators for the Food Pantry that the F.D.C is turning over to St. Vincent de Paul. Many volunteers have been working on the building, people have been giving food, clothes, and furniture for the free store as well as furniture, computers and needed equipment for the building. Once again a big thank you to Divine Mercy for letting us use the building. 

Bill Lewis has done a wonderful job putting this all together in just 3 months realizing that these are desperate times for the homeless, out of work families, families losing their homes or being evicted, inadequate or no food, clothing and furniture. 

In the past month as many as 10 to 20 calls per day has been coming in looking for food, clothing, & money from desperate people. In this economy as you all know more people are losing their jobs, or can't find a job after they have been laid off. We are called to be angels of mercy for those in need.

I thank you for all you have done the past 10 years for the Faribault Diversity Coalition and as we move into the St. Vincent de Paul Center for Charitable Services we will be able to help even more people with all of their needs and services. 

With extreme cold temperatures & snow life for the unfortunate can be very long and dark, lets make these days a little brighter for all of God's Children and it just may make our hearts a little warmer and a better Christmas for everyone. 

We are in desperate need of 150 linear feet of grocery shelves for the food pantry, more food, warm winter clothing, furniture and more donations. Please email back, or call 507-334-2100.

Have a gentle day, Milo