St. Vincent’s is Charity of Choice for AAFP Assembly
As Many as 75,000 Expected to Attend

   SAN DIEGO — St. Vincent de Paul Village has been named the beneficiary of the American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP) 2002 Scientific Assembly, taking place at the San Diego Convention Center from October 14 through October 20.

   President of St. Vincent’s, Fr. Joe Carroll, will accept a check from the AAFP board of directors on Friday, October 11, at 12:30 p.m., in the Torrey Room of the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, 333 West Harbor Drive.

   Corporations affiliated with this year’s assembly have already donated $8,200 to the Village through the AAFP’s Feed the Need program.

   In addition, the proceeds collected from the sale of commemorative lapel pins during the assembly will be donated to the Village. That amount, Fr. Joe says, could be substantial as organizers of the event are expecting as many as 75,000 physicians from across America to attend this year’s assembly.

   Fr. Joe says conventions of this type are the source of invaluable partnerships between visiting corporations and local charities.

   "It makes sense to make every effort to reach out to visiting businesses and corporations participating in conventions," he says. "Oftentimes, as part of the week’s festivities, convention planners include charitable outreach as one facet of the attendees’ activities."

   Fr. Joe is also hopeful many of the vendors participating in the AAFP assembly will donate sample products such as medical equipment, over-the-counter and prescribed medications, scientific literature and other supplies that can be used in the Village’s on-site medical clinic and by staff physicians.

   The AAFP’s Feed the Need program is also organizing a children’s book drive that will benefit the more than 150 youngsters currently living at St. Vincent de Paul Village.

   For more information on St. Vincent de Paul Village’s involvement in the American Academy of Family Physicians’ 2002 Scientific Assembly or Friday’s check presentation, call (619) 525-1608.

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