To help meet the growing needs in Ventura County, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul recently moved its local thrift store from a 3,000-square-foot Camarillo site to a 17,250-square-foot at 1258 Saviers Road in Oxnard. The site will be blessed June 28 by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry.

However, usable donations to help fill the store have not kept up with shoppers' demands for clothing and household items during this slumping economy, officials said. Last year, the Society assisted more than 21,000 disadvantaged, homeless and working poor men, women and children in Ventura County.

"The loss of store sales will impact the Society's outreach in Ventura County. Without the donations, we won't be able to assist local families and individuals who need help to move on with their lives," says Tony Terrazas, Council stores director. "In addition, the lack of usable donations will hurt low-income shoppers who need quality merchandise at a discounted price."

Proceeds from the store help local disadvantaged and homeless families and individuals with rent, utilities, emergency lodging, food, medicine and more. Usable donations --- such as clothing, furniture, appliances and computers --- also benefit the Society's free distribution program, where families in extreme-need receive needed items free of charge.

To make donations (merchandise or money), call (805) 981-0760 or (800) 974-3571, or send checks earmarked Ventura County to the Society's main office: 210 N. Avenue 21, Los Angeles, CA 90031. For more information on the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, visit www.svdpla.org.

Donors sought for summer camp pool
Meanwhile, a quarter of a million dollars is needed to retrofit the aging pool at the Society's Circle V Ranch Camp near Santa Barbara.

Since the 1920s, the pool has been a favorite recreational spot at Circle V, which has received high marks for its pool activities in its yearly satisfaction surveys. But, officials said, it must be upgraded to improve safety and program effectiveness by this fall, it will need to close.

"When you think of camp, one of the things you visualize is the swimming pool and how refreshing it is on those 100-plus degree heat days," says Ray Lopez, director of Circle V Ranch, which each July and August serves approximately 1,200 children from throughout Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. "Many inner-city children don't have access to a swimming pool, let alone the various activities that camp offers. We strive to offer all there is through our camp so that each boy and girl can enjoy the basics in life and grow as individuals."

The pool is structurally retained by a deteriorating rock wall and cracked concrete deck. Since its construction in 1926, the pool has received only minor upgrades through the passing years and shifting weather conditions. Consequently, it is in critical need of retrofitting and the highest priority site for being brought up to code.

Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services has determined that the following upgrades need to be addressed:

---Construct a new (26 feet by 76 feet) rectangular commercial gunite swimming pool, 3.5 to 8 feet deep to meet local building and health department codes.

---Refurbish the rock wall.

---Install new broom-finished, non-slip concrete decking, pipes and fittings, pool filters and pumps, and pool lights.

---Install handicap lift, signage, safety devices, pool steps and rails to meet ADA standards, and self latching devices on the pool's gate.

Lopez has consulted with architects, contractors and other service providers to gather all the pertinent information needed to implement this construction successfully. The pool retrofit is of particular importance, as it will allow the Camp's staff to teach the campers cooperation, teamwork and self-esteem skills through various non-competitive pool activities.

"Being a non-profit organization presents certain challenges, and coming up with the necessary funds to tackle repairs such as this is one of them," Lopez says. "Our goal is to simply provide the basics to these children so that they can have fun in a setting that allows them to dream big."

Many campers are returnees, as they gravitate to the positive impact that Circle V has provided in their lives. Among other things, Circle V's program helps teach children responsibility and mentoring from role models that empower these young people in school and assist them in forming positive relationships with parents, teachers and peers.

For more information on assisting with the Circle V Ranch pool retrofit, call (323) 276-6084 or visit www.svdpla.org.