'Funds of Love' raise money for those in need

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

Funds of Love Committee members display craft items they will be selling at the Funds of Love Event, Nov. 7, which supports programs that assist women, children, and families in need or in crisis situations.IC photo by Christine Young

OGDEN — Saint Benedict’s Foundation, a ministry of the Sisters of Saint Benedict, will host the Third Annual Funds of Love Event Friday, Nov. 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Richard Paul Evans will be the guest speaker at 6 p.m. He will talk about his new book "Grace." A book signing will follow his talk.

The event will be held at Mount Benedict Monastery, 6000 South 1075 East, South Ogden. It will also include a boutique, silent auction, and hors d’oeuvres served by Saint Joseph Catholic High School students.

Funds raised help the Foundation support 15 programs that create hope for the future for women, children, and families.

"Any time I have asked people to donate, and showed them a list of the programs we support, they are always willing to help," said Christi Scow, a Funds of Love committee member. They really respect and love the sisters.

"Our goal is to make $15,000 this year," said Yvonne Ulloa Coiner, Saint Benedict’s Foundation executive director. "We made just under $13,000 last year.

"We fund raise in order to continue to be a viable resource to the community and to the 15 programs we, and the Benedictine sisters, support," said Coiner. "With the economy right now, it is going to be a challenge for all of us. I am confident we will be fine. We are committed to continue to help our programs in 2009, but it takes events like this, and efforts from our volunteers in order to make this possible.

To put a face on why they fund raise, Coiner shared some of the success stories the $212,000 that was granted in 2008, and how it impacts the lives of over 5,000 women, children and families.

"It is the stories of the people we were serve that make what we do so amazing," said Coiner.

One program is Saint Martha’s Baby Project under Catholic Community Services in Ogden. Last year they were able to help 355 women and young girls with infant layettes and mothers’ gift bags.

"One of the mothers who was helped was involved in an automobile accident and lost her arm," said Coiner. "The accident happened just before her baby was due. Her baby was fine, but she did production work, and consequently lost her job."

The women had to deal with the loss of her arm, a new baby, and the loss of her job. Receiving a St. Martha’s layette gave her so much encouragement. She was so touched just knowing that strangers would take the time to make beautiful hand-made items such as the blanket and onesie, that she was able to go on and tackle her disability and take care of her new baby. She says she will be fine.

Another story is from Family Counseling Services of Northern Utah. This program helps women and children who have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional trauma, and who are uninsured and need counseling.

"A few years ago, a young woman 23, came to Utah to volunteer in a vista program because she wanted to serve," said Coiner. "But another reason was she wanted to receive the stipend so she could go to college. She was in Utah, away from home and her support system, and shortly after arriving she became the victim of a random act of violence. That incident caused her to withdraw and become more and more depressed to the point that she could not leave her home."

Coiner said the woman was referred to Family Counseling Services, and with counseling, depression medication, and confidence in knowing the people helping her would help her work through this situation, she was able to continue working as a vista volunteer and receive her stipends. She was uninsured, but because the sisters provide the funding, they can accept patients who have no way to pay. They got her in immediately.

As a result, she went back to school and is now a high school psychologist. She is currently working on her doctorate to become a clinical psychologist. She is now a donor of Saint Benedict’s Foundation.

"She plays the piano, and wanted to go into music therapy," said Coiner. "But after the care she received from Family Counseling Services, she decided she wanted to help young people. So now she is giving back to the community."

A third success story involves a mother of four who was grieving the loss of her husband who died of cancer. She was unable to get out of bed because of the reality of having to support her four children, be on her own, and work full time.

The woman went to the Center for Grieving Children, a program supported by the sisters, and through the center was able to learn coping skills which made it possible for her to get faith and confidence in herself so she could go on. She went back to college and became a school teacher. She was able to provide for her children financially and emotionally. She now volunteers at the Center for Grieving Children, and is helping other parents and children.

"The Center for Grieving Children not only helps children grieve the loss of a loved one, but also helps children grieve the loss of a parent through divorce," said Coiner.

"The Sisters of Saint Benedict want to create hope for a better future. With the service and the care individuals receive through all of these programs, they can look forward to a hopeful future," said Coiner. "Whatever has happened to them, they can find a way to continue on with a little help."