Fund for International Solidarity – Annual Appeal 2022
Better Together
Letter 13/2022
Paris, February 2022
To All National Presidents SSVP Worldwide
Dear Fellow Members,
Whether we are responding to a disaster, alleviating systemic poverty, or coming alongside a family in crisis, Vincentians can provide assistance, and restore health and peace, most effectively when we work as a team. We are better together.
That is why we are asking again for your help today.
As we are sure you are aware, the Commission for International Aid and Development (CIAD) and the Fund for International Solidarity (FIS) exist so the Council General International (CGI) of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can rapidly assist our brothers and sisters around the world acting to respond to disasters and other emergency needs. For further information on the support provided, please review the CIAD’s Annual Report for 2021 and previous years.
Often, we are doing so with extremely limited resources. Thanks to the loving support of other National Presidents and Councils, we are able to draw from FIS to provide the assistance our responding Councils urgently require.
But as we write to you now, the pandemic and an increase in natural disasters have put strong pressure on that FIS.
Therefore, we are asking for your help. We are requesting your National Council torespond to this once-a-year worldwide appeal for Vincentian solidarity with a generous gift by April 1st, as you are able. This will permit us to…
• have the resources FIS needs to equip Vincentians on the front lines of emergency response,
• keep sufficient funds in reserve so that, when future disasters strike, we may respond to requests for help immediately without having to issue emergency appeals,
• provide support to our struggling member Councils, and initiate programmatic responses to systemic poverty, and most of all,
• be the hands and face and caring heart of Jesus in our local communities — and in our global community — and be better together.
We need your charity, and that of your Councils, your Conferences, your Special Works, and your Membership!
Many Councils, Conferences and Special Works have financial surpluses at the end of each year, and donating to FIS is a great opportunity to extend the global charitable actions that our Society can effectively undertake.
It is important to make it clear that this annual appeal that CGI makes, at this moment, to reinforce FIS’ cash flow, is spontaneous and not mandatory.
We ask you and your brothers and sisters in leadership to prayerfully consider how best to respond to this annual appeal. Of course, we understand that the pandemic and other needs have impacted Councils differently. Some who receive this appeal are blessed to be able to respond with greater sums than others will be able to do. But all amounts will be gratefully received!
Our principal founder, Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam, knew we are stronger when westand together. We can encourage more … we can help more … we can share and glorify Christ more … when we lift one another up with our prayers and our mutual support. We are truly better together.
Please write to us via cgi.fis@ssvpglobal.org to confirm your financial support.
Please be informed and inform your donors that, while CGI will strive to spend the funds raised for a particular disaster, unspent funds are restricted and may only be used to support other communities experiencing disasters or requiring development assistance, through the Fund for International Solidarity (FIS).
We also request that you endorse this appeal and share it with your Council and Conference leadership and general membership. From CGI to parish volunteers, we are a single worldwide community of love and support. We stand together to respond to crises, to meet ongoing and systemic needs, and to proclaim as one the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your support and generosity.
Thank you so much for your prayerful consideration. No amount is too small to help people in need. We are better together.
Yours in Service,
| Carmela Addante | Renato Lima de Oliveira |
| Fund for International Solidarity | 16th President General International |
| Chairwoman | cgi.16president@ssvpglobal.org |
| cgi.fis@ssvpglobal.org |
In this New Year, again, our world will keep facing crisis, especially with vulnerable people who will be the most affected. Our members will face new challenges in responding. It is essential we be able to act quickly as soon as they request our help! That is why we pray we will receive your response at cgi.fis@ssvpglobal.org by April 1st. Thank you again.
