St. Vincent de Paul Walk and 5K upcoming

The St. Vincent de Paul Society in Oceanside kicked off its fundraising efforts last weekend ahead of the 13th annual Friends of the Poor Walk and 5K at Bethpage Community Park on Sept. 25. The walk and 5K are the society’s main fundraisers each year, and funds go directly to the community as part of the society’s mission to help neighbors in need.

“We are called to respond to our neighbors in need,” The Friends of the Poor Walk campaign Chairwoman Jane Magno-D’anna said. “Together, we can make a difference in the quality of life for many.”

The pandemic has decimated many families financially, forcing them to be frugal with the money they have. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is known by many for its clothing donation boxes, but it also helps community members in need with utility costs, rent, groceries, clothing and more.

At the Oceanside chapter, a group of about 30 members vet requests and visit people and then help them with their needs. Guttilla said that the pandemic has been especially hard on seniors financially and socially. The society often pays seniors’ medical copays.

Vice President Catalina Guttilla stressed the importance of the walk to the community and the St. Vincent de Paul’s mission. “We have to raise as much as possible because it’s the only fundraiser that we do,” she said. “Any contribution, even if it’s $5 or $2, we don’t care what it is.”

After last year’s in-person walk was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Gutilla and the rest of the team said they hope this year’s walk continues as planned so they can provide as much outreach as possible.

The 2020 edition of the event went virtual, with themed gift baskets sold to raise funds for families in need. The society also sold $4,000 in raffle tickets to help provide more money to donate.

Janet Calderon, the president of the St. Anthony’s Conference, said she is looking to replicate last year’s efforts by Pat Fox in the same role.

“We went through it and we did it,” Calderon said. “I’m very proud to serve in this capacity and in this particular conference. The unity that you find here, I’ve never found it anywhere else. The needs of the poor and to service the needs of those people, it’s embedded in our blood.”

Calderon continued, “A lot of us know what it is like to be in hardship, so we are attuned to the sensitivity issues that are felt by those that are currently in need.”

To register with or donate to the St. Anthony’s Conference in Oceanside, residents can go to runsignup.com and select the conference. For questions, residents can email svdpofoceanside@gmail.com or call 516-400-2910.