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68 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, September 22, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 10, 2004 St. Vincent de Paul campaign starts strong By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune High hopes have turned to hard cash and other contributions as organizers of St. Vincent de Paul’s "Beacon of Hope" campaign have raised more than $1 million in less than two months. That’s nearly half the $2.3 million goal for the agency that launched a capital campaign in July aimed at renovating the agency’s Medford thrift store and expanding its homeless shelter. "I’ve received checks from as far away as West Virginia, Minnesota and Minneapolis," said Bill Schueller, the nonprofit’s executive director. "Of course, the people in Minneapolis are all relatives of mine." Joking aside, Schueller and other organizers say they’re gratified by the community response, which comes even as the Portland-based branch of St. Vincent de Paul has closed six thrift stores and launched a public plea for $900,000 to keep from shutting its doors. Steve Watson, the Portland society’s executive director, told The Oregonian newspaper that much of the money is needed to cover costs of unemployment benefits, store leases and other expenses associated with store closures. Until now, the Portland agency has existed entirely on private contributions and grants. Advertisement If the Portland drive is not successful, the society will be forced to close programs that provide assistance to some 300,000 local residents. Schueller said one big difference between the two agencies is that the Medford council is staffed entirely by volunteers. From food-servers to fund-raisers, store clerks to administrators, about 175 people keep the agency running. "Every dollar that comes to us, take away administrative fees, the mortgage and utility bills, and 92 or 93 cents goes directly to the poor," Schueller said. Donations to the Medford council have ranged in size from a few dollars to tens of thousands. The largest single contribution so far has been a $10,000 check offered by Lithia Motors President Sid DeBoer. Schueller said he’s also received a pledge for up to $200,000 from a local foundation, whose name he declined to divulge because the deal isn’t final. The contributions include money and in-kind donations of supplies and services, Schueller said. Gifts to the capital campaign are held separately from usual donations, which top $325,000 annually, he said. With funds in hand, Schueller said the agency should break ground within a month on the first phase of the project that will double the size of the agency’s thrift store to 16,000 square feet and move it to a more visible location at 2550 N. Pacific Highway. The project also will demolish and rebuild the St. Anthony’s homeless shelter, providing bed space for up to 44 people, including more families and single women. Day-use showers and laundry facilities for homeless people also will be built. Finally, the renovation will create an expanded dining room, food pantry, social service offices and parking lot. It will double the capacity of the agency that last year provided 50,000 meals, 10,400 social service interventions and 3,600 bed nights to the poor. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities