The SVdP Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is winding down. We are happy to let you know that as of April 12, we had $47,299.67 in approved energy assistance for our neighbors-in-need! As the original grant of 2.3 million dollars has been spent down, we are not writing any new grants, but we are still processing some outstanding applications, so that number will certainly rise. Our SVdP Conference coordinated a district-wide collaboration with the SVdP Conferences at St. Matthew, St. Paul, St. Ambrose, St. Philomena and Star of the Sea to serve many people in our communities who otherwise would have been unable to pay their energy bills this extreme winter.

Our focus now turns to summer camp. SVdP provides a free summer camp experience for kids aged 8 to 14 at Camp Ozanam and our Vincentians are beginning to enroll campers. The annual Camp Ozanam Work Day is Saturday, May 3^rd and there will be lots of volunteers helping to get camp in shape for summer. If you’d like to help or earn service hours, plan to join us. It’s a great day on Lake Huron. Meals are provided, and it is always more fun to do jobs for somebody else! See the adjoining flyer.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has been contributing clothing and household items to our blue SVdP collection bin in the parking lot. Traditionally, this conference has held a bundle drive in the spring and fall. However, we hear from the Central Office that the weekly pick-up is yielding a nice volume of donations, so have not scheduled a separate bundle drive for this spring. If you have a significant donation, you may call 1-877-STVINCE to arrange a pick up at your home.