FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL AND WXYZ-TV/CHANNEL 7 PARTNER FOR 18-HOUR TELETHON DECEMBER 3, 2009
DETROIT—Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Executive Director Bill Brazier announced St. Vincent de Paul will partner with WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 for an 18-hour telethon on Thursday, December 3, 2009.
The 3rd Annual SVdP Telethon will kick off during the early morning news at 5 am and wrap up at 11 pm with additional coverage during WXYZ’s newscasts at Noon, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm and 11 pm. Viewers will be able to phone in donation pledges throughout the day to phone lines staffed by SVdP volunteers.
Corporate sponsors for the telethon include: Pepsi, Providence Hospital, Sofo Foods, Papa Romano’s and Mr. Pita.
Catholic Schools from the Archdiocese of Detroit were invited to raise money for the St. Vincent de Paul Telethon through creative fund-raising events. At least 9 schools rose to the challenge with Farmington’s Our Lady of Sorrows Grade School leading the way with a donation of over $5000.00. Their students raised the money by holding a “Bill War” between the classes as they learned about St. Vincent de Paul and its mission to serve the poor.
“The demand for assistance and services for the poor in Detroit and the surrounding communities is greater than ever in these tough economic times in our country. This year we are also serving people who never, ever imagined that they would need our help to get by,” Executive Director Bill Brazier said. “Every donation, no matter how small, will help feed a family, give them warm clothing or provide rent assistance.”
Brazier said 92% of every dollar donated will be used for direct assistance for local families in need. St. Vincent de Paul services include food banks, clothing and household referrals, utility assistance, and counseling and home visits to low income households. SVdP is a four star charity as rated by Charity Navigator.
Viewers may donate with a credit card by calling 1-877-STVINCE that day or going to the website, www.moreforthepoor.org. Checks may also be mailed to the SVdP office at 3000 Gratiot, Detroit MI 48207. All donations are tax deductible.
Brazier said the society will not be soliciting clothing, furniture and household items through this telethon, but that those types of donations are always welcome and can be dropped off at any of the Society’s chain of 10 thrift stores across southeast Michigan, or arrangements for pick up can made by calling 877-STVINCE.
For more information on the Society, its programs and locations of its thrift stores, visit www.svdpdet.org. For Telethon Information, contact Barb Koster at barbarakoster@comcast.net
or 313-393-2694.
###
SVdP is a major provider of human and disaster relief services, assisting people in crisis who have been victims of fires or floods, lost their job, or other urgent situations by providing emergency support. The Society works in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Detroit, networking with 2,000 Vincentian volunteers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair and Monroe counties, assisting 30,000 local households annually. SVdP’s thrift stores in southeast Michigan support the Society’s other charitable operations including emergency food centers, youth summer camps, vehicle donation program and social services in the Van Elslander Family Center.