A new youth group has been formed at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School. This 6th, 7th and 8th grade group is called the Minnie Vinnies, a branch of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference in Merrill.
The mission of the Vincentian Youth Organization is to provide Vincentian youth with an opportunity to grow in spirituality, service and friendship with each other and with the greater Vincentian community.
The Minnie Vinnies meet once a month at St. Francis Xavier School. At these meetings they start and end with a prayer and then discuss how to accomplish their community project for the month. This year their projects will include collecting coins to send to the Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica for rice to be purchased, Valentine/Easter treats to be given to the elderly at Bell Towers and Pine Crest Nursing Home. The students will also volunteer time at the Soup Kitchen and will collect canned items for the local Food Pantry.
In December the Minnie Vinnies made and sold frosted Christmas cookies. With the profits from this activity they purchased gifts for four children from the Christmas Spirit Appeal Giving Tree.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic, lay organization formed to offer person-to-person services to those in need. No difference of religion, nationality, race or political opinion is considered when one is in need. Serving Christ’s need is the first purpose of St. Vincent de Paul. The Merrill St. Vincent de Paul conference started in March of 2003. The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is highly visible in the Merrill downtown area. The St. Vincent de Paul Community Care Center is located at 401 W. Main St., Merrill (the old Lincoln County Bank) which houses 9 different agencies along with St. Vincent de Paul Free Clinic and Outreach Office. The Outreach Office meets short-term, emergency needs of clients seeking services.
If you have any questions regarding this group you can contact the St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Office at 715-539-2666.
The picture shows the St. Francis Minnie Vinnes giving the money they raised to the Merrill representatives who have been volunteering at the Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica.