Editor’s Note:  In the following column first posted Dec. 17, Inside Vero correspondent, Pat Lavins, writes of receiving word from the manager of Our Father’s Table soup kitchen that her story on the local ministry lead to donations of more than $18,000, including one gift for $10,000. Press Journal columnist, Russ Lemmon, also wrote this morning about the $10,000, much-needed donation Bob Proechel made to Our Father’s Table soup kitchen .  See: TCPalm.com. 

PAT LAVINS

In the December edition of Inside Vero I wrote an article about the need for community support to a small local charity.  I wanted the article about Our Father’s Table to perhaps be a catalyst for an expression of the Christmas spirit toward the less fortunate during the season of giving.

The response has left me speechless. Having lived in Indian River County for over 15 years, I knew of the generosity of the many wealthy people in this community.  However, I have through the years also learned of the generosity of individuals of more modest economic means.  I have personally witnessed many people who donate their time, energy and financial resources to causes that they believe in.  Yet even with this background, I am more excited than a child at Christmas with what has occurred within a week of communicating the need to purchase a van so that the housebound could be brought a warm meal daily.

Allow me to share an e-mail that I received from my friend Lydia Forbes who manages the operation of Our Father’s Table: “A man walked in to the Soup Kitchen (Our Father’s Table) today, clutching your article and a check for $10,000 toward the purchase of a new van.  His name is Robert Proechel.  Amazingly, another man came in on Friday with your article and anonymously gave a check for $3,000.  In addition, a private foundation sent $5,000 and a donor sent $500.  They all mentioned reading about us in Inside Vero.  We are dancing with joy!”

In speaking with Robert Proechel, he said, “I am a believer in donating to local charities.  I was particularly motivated by the fact that Our Father’s Table did not spend its money on administrative overhead.”  As someone who only moved to Vero Beach a few short months ago after marrying local realtor Margo Sudnykovych, he made a site visit to Our Father’s Table, and “saw with my own eyes the need in Indian River County.”

Since I feel an obligation to my readers, I will write a future article when the van has been purchased and is ready to be the vehicle to bring nutrition and sustenance to those most in need in Indian River County.

On behalf of all of my colleagues at Inside Vero, I want to express my gratitude to our readers.  You have made the real meaning of Christmas a reality. You have made this a Christmas to remember and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.