Takin' the Blog for a Walk
Join Waukesha resident Brien Lee and his blog, Sir Fido, as they explore the city and report on the interesting things they find.
Email Brien at howlinblog@yahoo.com.
You too can be a Friend of the Poor
I'm not the only one who thinks the annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk should be renamed The Roy Thater Memorial Walk for the Poor. Not only was Roy known to put on many miles walking the neighborhoods, to church and Christina's, but there's nothing Roy wouldn't have done for the poor, or for any neighbor for that matter. Roy was a huge inspiration with his dedication to the poor through volunteering at the St. Vincent store and his many years of service to the needy through the St. William conference of St. Vincent.
I blogged here after visiting Roy at the hospice in Dec. '09. With health failing due to cancer; his wife having recently passed; and doing everything he could to be helpful in this life, the end for him came very naturally and comfortably. What I didn't mention in the blog is his gift to St. Vincent de Paul upon his death. Even in death Roy was a friend of the poor.
With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, I've been doing a fair amount of reflecting.
Today is the 21st anniversary of my becoming a father. Fatherhood can be a bumpy road, but I love where it leads. Happy birthday Son.
Ten years ago I ran for a local office in the spring election . . . and lost. Sometime after 9/11, maybe because of it, I went through a period of wanting / needing to do more / something for others to make a difference in their / my life. I joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul ten years ago after 9/11 to make a difference, but I've met so many kind and generous people along the way that I think the biggest difference is in me.
Reflecting on Labor Day . . . one year ago I was still unemployed. Even though I'm fortunate to have found employment last September, this last year saw many changes to our lifestyle. There was a period of no insurance and my pay, or lack there of, qualified us for BadgerCare and the Waukesha Food Pantry. It was the first time in my life we received unemployment insurance payments.
After 10 years volunteering with St. Vincent; helping at, and using, the Waukesha Food Pantry; being uninsured and unemployed, I think I finally know what it's like to be poor. It's not a fun place to be.
If, by chance, you also agree being poor is not a fun place to be, there is an upcoming event you might be able to help with. All are invited to the Fourth Annual Friends of the Poor Walk Sept. 24th at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N Moreland. This may be the only Friends of the Poor Walk in Waukesha County, but donations can be designated to any local St. Vincent conference of choice.
There is no fee for the walk and delicious refreshments will again be provided by Catholic Financial Life, Branch 40. While St. Vincent is a mostly Catholic organization, we do not discriminate in who we help, with 100% of any donated funds going back to the local poor.
We hope you can join us Saturday, Sept. 24th. For more information on the walk click on our website at http://friendsofthepoorwalk.blogspot.com/ or call 262-547-2763 ext. 204 or 262-542-5125.
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