Host of Holiday Events Scheduled For Village Residents, Non-residents
Lineup of Activities Brightens Season, Clients’ Lives

   SAN DIEGO — A wide selection of events are scheduled for residents and non-residents this holiday season at St. Vincent de Paul Village. The following list of holiday meals, celebrations and other activities is current as of Nov. 17; however, interested parties should call (619) 525-1608 prior to planning any coverage of specific events to guard against last-minute postponements or changes of venue.

Wednesday, Nov. 26
   The Village will serve its annual Thanksgiving non-resident meal at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent’s downtown facility, located at 1501 Imperial Avenue. Typically, more than 1,500 meals are served during this traditional holiday gathering.

Thursday, Nov. 27
   The second annual San Diego Thanksgiving Day Run/Walk benefiting St. Vincent’s begins at 8 a.m. at the corner of 6th Avenue and Laurel Street in Balboa Park. The 5K event ends at the nearly completed Petco Park. As many as 2,000 San Diegans are expected to participate to raise funds for the more than 1 million meals the Village serves annually.

Tuesday, Dec. 2 and Wednesday, Dec. 3
   As many as 60 St. Vincent’s families will have heirloom-quality pictures taken by volunteer photographers at the Village’s annual Portraits of Hope event between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on both days. The event, in its fifth year, provides Village families with professional portraits they otherwise could not afford. The event’s busiest hours will be on Tuesday, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6
   The lobby and other public areas of St. Vincent de Paul Village, 1501 Imperial Avenue, will be decorated for the holidays at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11
   Santa’s Workshop will be open to Village parents who will do some "holiday shopping" for their children from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Toussaint Teen Center, located at 1404 5th Avenue. Donated toys, games, articles of clothing and other gift items arranged on shelves and racks, much like a traditional retail shopping experience, are combed through by parents in search of the perfect holiday gift. The first day, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., offers the best opportunity for strong visual impact, as racks and shelves will still be fully stocked and a large number of clients will be shopping.

Sunday, Dec. 14
   The St. Vincent’s Ladies’ Guild will host the annual Village Christmas Festival between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Children, families and teens living at St. Vincent’s will enjoy a barbecue, dancing, games and other holiday activities at the organization’s 3350 "E" Street warehouse. In addition, children will "shop" for their parents and wrap their gift choices with a little help from members of the Ladies’ Guild.

Tuesday, Dec. 16
   The Rancho Valencia Resort, located at 5921 Valencia Circle in Rancho Santa Fe, will hold a Christmas party for children and teens living at St. Vincent’s and the Toussaint Teen Center between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The youngsters will enjoy food, games and a visit from St. Nicholas himself who will leave Rudolph and the other reindeer at home, instead arriving by helicopter to deliver gifts and bring holiday cheer to the children.

Wednesday, Dec. 24
   St. Vincent’s, located at 1501 Imperial Avenue, will serve its annual non-resident Christmas meal at 11 a.m. As many as 1,500 homeless individuals and area residents will enjoy roast beef and other traditional holiday accoutrements.

Thursday, Dec. 25
   Longtime Village Vice President Keith MacKay, along with friends, family and fellow St. Vincent’s employees, will serve Christmas breakfast to the 900 residents of the Village and over 1,000 homeless neighbors at the organization’s 1501 Imperial Avenue location. MacKay hosts the annual breakfast as a show of personal dedication to the organization for which he has worked for more than two decades.

Friday, Dec. 26
   The Village’s annual "We’re Still Here" meal will be served to non-residents at the organization’s 1501 Imperial Avenue location. Unlike many other human services agencies who only participate in holiday outreach, St. Vincent’s prides itself on service to the needy members of the community 365 days a year. The meal is a celebration of this year-round dedication to homeless assistance and rehabilitation.

Thursday, Jan. 1
   St. Vincent’s will serve a New Year’s Day meal for non-residents at 11 a.m. in honor of new beginnings and the hope of a brighter future. The annual lunch, served at the Village’s 1501 Imperial Avenue location, is attended by as many as 1,500 homeless individuals and area residents.

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