David Griffey received the Ozanam Medallion, awarded annually to an individual who serves as a role model for other Vincentians and is also an inspiration to the broader faith community. Griffey was cited for his pleasant demeanor, nonjudgmental attitude and friendliness. His volunteer work includes serving in the food pantry and driving a Red Cross van to pick up
Griffey also delivers boxes of food to shut-ins and each month volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul’s Market Street Thrift Store. Quarterly, he makes sure the men at SVDP’s emergency men’s homeless shelter, Ozanam Inn, are treated to a movie night with refreshments. He helps the Holy Spirit team serve lunch in SVDP’s Open Hand Kitchen once a month, and he always helps put on the Halloween Party at St. Jude for the children of the women in our program.
Every fall, Griffey gathers sponsors for SVDP’s Friends of the Poor Walk and encourages all to walk with him at Churchill Downs. And at Christmas, he advocates for the 11 families and their 24 children on Holy Spirit’s parish “Angel Tree.” He not only gathers up the gifts, but personally gives them out to each family.
Linda Gottbrath received the St. Vincent Award, which is presented to an individual who, like St. Vincent, has dedicated his life to supplying nonjudgmental and supportive service to those in need. Gottbrath makes 15 to 20 home visits each week, always finding time to visit those in nursing homes. At Christmas she is there to help with making and delivering food baskets. She also helps out in the food pantry.
Gottbrath was praised as non-judgmental and very supportive of clients’ needs, and for being a person who always goes out of her way to help. She keeps in touch with other conference members and often turns to them for advice and help with difficult cases. She puts the needs of the clients first and finds a way to assist those needing help. Gottbrath fills in as secretary and treasurer when officers cannot attend meetings. She also does the spiritual meditations at the conference meetings.
At SVDP, Gottbrath volunteers monthly in the Open Hand Kitchen. She has helped at the Santa Shop, is an active member of the annual Friends of the Poor Walk committee, and she helps fill the Thrift Store truck when it is at St. Rita’s.
SVDP’s highest honor presented by the Conference Affairs Committee is the Top Hat Award, which is presented to a Vincentian who exemplifies the spirit of the Society’s founder, Frederic Ozanam. Tom Phillips was chosen for his diligence in making home visits. He developed an efficient process to meet the needs of referred clients in a timely fashion.
Phillips’ contributions are varied: He coordinates the parish’s food contributions and delivery to the
Committed to the principles of SVDP, Phillips readily meets with people who ask for help from the Holy Trinity Conference. Like Griffey and Gottbrath, he always goes the extra mile to be sure the needs of clients are met as best as possible.
Phillips has served the Holy Trinity Conference as president for six years. He was the secretary for eight years, and continues to serve as treasurer, a position he has held for ten year. He leads the emergency assistance committee and has assisted many conferences in developing emergency assistance procedures. He also implemented twinning programs, both in
In addition, Phillips is a member of the Ozanam Orientation Formator Team. He spends many hours a week promoting the works of SVDP and continues to expand the donations to SVDP’s Thrift Stores by bringing the collection truck to Holy Trinity several times a year. This has resulted in increased food and financial donations for SVDP and its services for the poor.
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