ARDEN — People in the Arden area will receive much-needed housing assistance thanks to a $5,000 grant from the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul, part of its “Friends of the Poor” Grant Program, and will be disbursed by the society’s St. Barnabas Church Conference. Funds from the grant will be used to pay for rent, minor home repairs and moving expenses.
The St. Barnabas Conference was established in 1999 as part of the District Council of Asheville. The conference currently has 13 active members and serves clients in the south Asheville regions of Buncombe and Henderson counties.
This grant was one of 18 distributed through the program around the U.S. Grant applications are evaluated and awarded quarterly on a regional basis by a Vincentian review committee. Funding is provided by the general public and the society’s 160,000 members in the U.S., and is targeted to specific needs in each community.
“We are pleased to be able to assist local conferences as they work to help those in need,” said Dave Barringer, CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “Our local conferences are a great example of how a dedicated group of people can make a difference in alleviating suffering.”
One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (www.svdpusa.org) is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of about 800,000 men and women who join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 150 countries. With the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, membership totals more than 160,000 in 4,400 communities across the U.S.
The society offers a variety of programs and services, including home visits, housing assistance, disaster relief, education and mentoring, food pantries, dining halls, clothing, assistance with transportation, prescription medication, and rent and utility costs. The society also works to provide care for the sick, the incarcerated and the elderly.
Over the past year, it provided more than $955 million in tangible and in-kind services to those in need, made more than two million personal visits (homes, hospitals, prisons and eldercare facilities) and helped more than 14.1 million people regardless of race, religion or national origin.
HIGH POINT — Residents and staff of Pennybyrn at Maryfield teamed up for their first fundraiser in support of the 2016 High Point Alzheimer's Association. Monday, June 20, was designated as "The Longest Day" by the Alzheimer's Association.
Teams were encouraged to create their own experience as they raised funds and participated in an activity they love to honor someone facing the disease. "The Longest Day" is a team event to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association. Held annually on the summer solstice, the duration of this sunrise-to-sunset event symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with the disease and their caregivers.
The Pennybyrn at Maryfield community participated in this event and used "The Longest Day" as its kick-off fundraiser for the High Point Alzheimer's Walk scheduled for Oct. 15.
Three activities were held throughout the Pennybyrn at Maryfield community: Rock-A-Thon, Bake-A-Thon and Taste-A-Thon. The Rock-A-Thon was held in all three areas of the campus. Each area had two rocking chairs that staff, residents and family members kept rocking from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Bake-A-Thon took place in Ilderton Hall. Participants submitted baked items and the winner was determined at the Taste-A-Thon. Dollar bills were used to vote for the favorite baked good. The top baker was Kathy Faltynski with her blueberry rhubarb pie.
"Currently over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease with more than 160,000 right here in North Carolina. Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops this devastating disease," said Caitlyn Haffey, the Alzheimer's Association Western Carolina Chapter development specialist. "The Western Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association covers the 49 counties on this side of the state. We provide programs and services to those impacted, advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves and work to end Alzheimer's. Ultimately, our vision is a world without Alzheimer's."
"The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. We are so grateful for Pennybyrn at Maryfield and their team and thank them for their continued support of the High Point Walk to End Alzheimer's," Haffey continued. "We cannot do what we do alone, we need the support of those in the community in order to put an end to this disease. Alzheimer's is relentless but so are we. On behalf of the Alzheimer's Association and the families that we serve, a huge thank you to the staff at Pennybyrn and their supporters for their efforts and contributions."
The next community fundraisers will be two bake sales July 26 and Sept. 27. The bake sales will take plan in Norcross Town Square at Maryfield Healthcare Households. Proceeds will also go to the Alzheimer's Association.