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November 19, 2015
Tom BurkeTalk about coming to the plate with the bases loaded: Among first assignments for Jessie Brierley, the new communications person for San Francisco’s long-loved and effective St. Anthony’s, is the Franciscan-founded organization’s Thanksgiving Day dinner where about 3,000 people will be served in St. Anthony’s Dining Room. The Idaho native is ready for the task.
“I must say I am excited to take on the challenge of getting the organization in the spotlight to show the San Francisco community the good things that are happening in our dining room,” Jessie told me via email.
“At St. Anthony’s, the guests, volunteers, donors and staff are a life force, a family, so people who are lonely will always have a place to come to enjoy a hot nutritious meal in community with people who care about and support them,” Jessie said. “This message is what I’m excited to share with the rest of the Bay Area, and it’s not hard to do since we have so many wonderful people working together to create a place where all people flourish.”
At St. Anthony’s on Thanksgiving Day the team will include180 volunteers including an advance squad who carve the 600 turkeys that will be served.
Jessie holds a graduate degree in International Business with a focus on corporate social responsibility and has worked previously in the private sector.
“My hope is that I can utilize my experiences in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors to help bridge the gap between companies with money and organizations who need their support to better the world we live in,” Jessie said.
“My main goal in life is to use the blessings I have been afforded to help others. At St. Anthony’s, we don’t just provide essential services to people living in poverty, we do it with dignity and respect, because we believe that all people have a rightful place in our society, just as all people have a place in God’s heart. This resonates with me to my core. I could not be more grateful to work for such a wonderful organization.”
Jessie pledges “to ensure the Bay Area community knows who we are, what we do, and why we do it.” Jessie has her peers - “young professionals who are taking root in our city” - in her sights. She plans also to foster ongoing relationships with St. Anthony’s longtime supporters as well as city officials and the media.
St. Anthony’s serves seven days a week, 365 days a year. “That being said, remember us on the days after the big holidays when volunteers are harder to come by and many other organizations are closed,” Jessie exhorted. “Our doors are always open to serve hot meals and friendly smiles to San Franciscans living in poverty.” For volunteer opportunities visit www.stanthonysf.org/holidayvolunteering/.
HARMONY: It all comes together Dec. 2 at Mercy High School, Burlingame’s “Christmas at Kohl Mansion” 5-9 p.m. The historic edifice is all lit up and goodies inside include Christmas shopping, mansion tours, and seasonal refreshments you can buy, 5-9 p.m., 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame. Tickets at the door $10/adults, children under 12 are free, visit www.mercyhsb.com/alumnae/christmas-at-kohl; www.mercyhsb.com for parking and shuttle information.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING: No issue of Catholic San Francisco Nov. 26. Have a wonderful holiday.
Email items and electronic pictures – jpegs at no less than 300 dpi to burket@sfarchdiocese.org or mail to Street, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109. Include a follow-up phone number. Street is toll-free. My phone number is (415) 614-5634.