Over the years, you have heard me confess that I have a “favorite” client.  In our business, we shouldn’t have favorites, of course, but I have always felt a very close connection to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels (STVMOW), Los Angeles.  For more than 25 years, I have been filled with pride knowing that our efforts are helping to put daily meals on the table for thousands of homebound seniors and other vulnerable residents across L.A. living in poverty.  It’s a simple process really – we raise money (through direct mail and major gifts), which STVMOW uses to provide healthy meals for those in need.  As we have always said, “STVMOW delivers food and love to the neediest of the needy.”  It is truly an honor to be part of this equation.

Sadly, the Founder of this program, Sister Alice Marie Quinn (SAM), passed away on June 23.  SAM was my spiritual muse.  She taught me that mission matters.  She was equal parts Mother Theresa and Vince Lombardi – never wavering in her faith or in her belief that all things were possible.  Through her words and her actions, she drove others to excellence.   Her energy and passion inspired me on many occasions to consider the consequences of our work.  She was a rock. She was a bit of a rock star as well.  She was as comfortable in a room full of L.A. celebrities as she was in a senior’s apartment on Skid Row.  SAM did it all, providing nourishment of the body and the soul for 40 years.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I will miss her.

Scott

Founded in 1987, Schultz & Williams is a national consulting firm dedicated to helping nonprofits of every size and sector achieve financial stability, meet organizational goals and support greater mission impact. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, Schultz & Williams also has operations in Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco CA, and Washington, D.C.