Restoring Hope Breakfast

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul held its annual Restoring Hope Fundraising Breakfast on Nov. 16 at The Phoenician. Mark Curtis emceed the morning event that was attended by about 1,300 guests. Supported by a matching gift of $500,000, made by Melani and Rob Walton, Connie and Craig Weatherup and others, the event raised more than $1 million to support its mission to feed, clothe, house and heal Arizonans in need.

Attendees heard from Cherylyn Strong, the Resource Center director; Dr. Maurice Lee, chief medical officer; and Julia Matthies, Ozanam Manor director. In addition, Christy DeMuro shared how St. Vincent de Paul entered her family’s lives at just the right time. Nearly two years ago, Christy and her husband, Adam, received the devastating news that their three-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia. Christy joined St. Vincent de Paul’s development team while Adam, an attorney, developed legal aid in St. Vincent de Paul’s Resource Center. St. Vincent de Paul allowed them to use their skills and talent while keeping a flexible work schedule dictated by their son’s demanding oncology appointments.

Dr. Ken Snyder, dental director, shared the stage with his young patient Erica, a high school student who hopes to work as a Google engineer someday. Erica is a current patient who struggles with severe issues with the alignment of her teeth, causing both health and dental problems. She is in the process of receiving orthodontic services.

PHOTOS COURTESY ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

Larry Gunning, Dr. Ollie Harper, Sharon Harper, Penny Gunning, Sharon Dupont McCord, Kate Gallego and Jimmy Walker

Cindy Watts, Melani Walton, Shannon Clancy and Julie Bowe

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director Steve Zabilski shared\s his vision of St. Vincent de Paul and its mission to feed, clothe, house and heal people in need

Craig Coppola and Dr. Maurice Lee

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