News

Hilbert Vincentians find success with 'Hope'

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

	PROVIDING HOPE: Chuck Peters and Charlotte Rice examine some of the clothing in the St. Vinnie's Hope Chest - the St. Vincent de Paul Society store in Hilbert. Sales from the store help the society assist needy people in the area. (Rick Evans photo)

Whenever Chuck Peters, president of the Hilbert St. Vincent de Paul Society conference, takes visitors through the organization's store, he gives the Lord credit for its success.

"The Lord has really been good to us," he says as he names the individuals and organizations who have donated merchandise, fixtures and time to the store on Highway 57 immediately south of Hilbert.

The 4,000 square foot store has been at that location for almost a year. It will celebrate its first anniversary on Dec. 7 with a sale. Before it was in downtown Hilbert on a street "people didn't have to go down for anything," said Charlotte Rice, St. Vincent de Paul treasurer.

Since the move, store hours have expanded, and so have sales. Customers come from all over eastern Wisconsin and even from Chicago, Peters pointed out.

"It looks awful nice when (the lot) is full of cars, and they are parking around the side. That happens a lot of Saturday mornings," he asserted.

Peters said store income in October was more than $8,000. After rent, utilities and other expenses, the Society was able to give more than $1,000 per week in help to needy families in the Calumet County area, Rice said.

The Hilbert St. Vincent de Paul Society started in late August, 1996, with $500 help from the Kaukauna Society. Peters was elected president, and Fr. Rallen Stencil, now retired as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Hilbert, was the spiritual advisor.

For the first two years, Peters and Rice said, it depended on donations and held rummage sales to raise money for the needy.

During that period, there was a major barn fire. The family affected had four young children, Peters explained. When the oldest told a Society volunteer about losing her bike in the fire, Peters related her story to St. Mary parishioners at three Masses. As a result, he collected $3,300 for the family.

"The people of Hilbert are very generous," Rice said.

More donations came after that. When the Kaukauna veterinarian service the family used heard about their plight, it contributed around $2,000.

The farm family moved, Peters continued. Unfortunately it had a second fire. That time the Society gave it $1,000.

The Society opened a store in downtown Hilbert in the summer of 1998. Society members provided merchandise by cleaning out their attics, Peters laughed.

Rice said it was named "St. Vinnie's Hope Chest" because it was to provide hope for the poor.

The first building they were in had been a hardware store, then an appliance store. As nearby businesses moved from the downtown, the store rented more space. Before its move in 2002, it occupied nearly 5,000 square-feet, he said.

The business was open from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, all day Thursday and Friday, and Saturday morning. A sign at the juncture of Main Street and Highway 57 directed customers to the store.

At first, volunteers picked up merchandise with Peters' truck and trailer. Then the store purchased a second hand van. When that wore out, it bought a used rescue truck from the Hilbert Fire Department.

In spring 2002, Tom Baer of Hilbert, a Society volunteer, offered to build a new St. Vincent de Paul store. Peters suggested the location on Highway 57.

Society members from Hilbert, Chilton, New Holstein, Brillion and Kiel helped with the move. The store held its grand opening on Dec. 7. The dedication, with Fr. Stencil officiating, was Dec. 8. Shelving and fixtures have come from Faith Alliance Church in Chilton, the Appleton St. Vincent de Paul Store and the Fond du Lac Fleet Farm.

The Chilton and Brillion furniture stores have donated new mattresses and table tops. The store also receives outerwear remaining after the Salvation Army's annual fall "Coats for Kids" campaign.

There is an 8-foot by 12-foot shed behind the store for receiving donations, which 30 sort, Peters and Rice said.

Peters, Rice and other store volunteers screen people seeking help, who may receive vouchers or checks.

Recently a woman came in needing $500 for her water bill. "She had the final cut-off notice in her hand," said Peters.

"People who come in and who really need help ask for the bare minimum, $30 or $50," Peters said. "That's the kind you want to help because you know they need more than that."

Rice said there will be more requests for grocery vouchers through the end of the year because of the holidays.

The Society gives Rice and her daughter $2,000 to purchase merchandise for teenagers at the Chilton Wal-Mart - which gives them a discount because her daughter works there - for the Chilton Salvation Army Christmas program. People tend to make donations for younger children and overlook teens, Peters and Rice said.

St. Vinnie's Hope Chest is open: 6-8 p.m. Monday; 1-5 p.m. Tuesday; 1-8 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The store hopes to add Tuesday and Wednesday morning hours next year when it gets more volunteer help.

The store's phone number is (920)853-3449.