By Mary Stadnyk | News Editor

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Medford Conference received a congressional pat on the back from Congressman Jon Runyan (R-3).

At a Feb. 21 gathering held in his Mount Laurel office, Congressman Runyan presented a congressional proclamation to John Kallelis, newly named Medford conference president, and Bob Mitkus, former conference president. The proclamation acknowledged the conference for undertaking an expansion and renovation project of its thrift store and caring center, as well as for its 30-year history in helping people in need.

“Obviously because of the (economic) times we’re in now, there are a lot more people who are in need and it’s great that we have the ability to expand our services and take care of them,” said Congressman Runyan.

The awarding of the proclamation to the conference is a way to “raise awareness about the St. Vincent de Paul Society, to let people who may be in need know that there’s a place where they can get help and to say thank you to all the people who are doing God’s work by volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul Society,” said the congressman, who is a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown.

After receiving the proclamation, Kallelis and Mitkus invited the contingent of folks who were on hand, including Msgr. James H. Dubell, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford; Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive secretary of the Department of Catholic Social Services, and Patricia Brooks, diocesan president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, to make the 15-minute drive from Mount Laurel to Medford and check out the tremendous progress that’s been made to the Jones Road thrift store and caring center since renovations began in November. The expansion and renovation project was heralded with a groundbreaking ceremony held Nov. 17 with Msgr. Dubell, presiding. The Medford Conference is a ministry of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish.

Mitkus, who was the conference president from 2005 until January, explained that the $1 million project will double the building’s size from 4,000 to 8,000 square feet. Additional office space will allow clients to meet in private with the staff to discuss their particular concerns and needs, and the thrift store, which has donated clothing, shoes, small household items and appliances available for purchase, food pantry, storage space and parking lot will also be expanded.  The conference, which was established in 1980, began operation in its current facility in 1981, and serves the Burlington County communities of Medford, Medford Lakes, Browns Mills, Pemberton Township and Moorestown.

Mitkus and Kallelis said it’s the goal that the new thrift store will be ready to open in June and that the entire renovations will be completed by September.

“I feel humbled by what we have been able to accomplish,” said Kallelis, who has helped the Medford conference with budget counseling and food deliveries for the past seven years.

“It’s unbelievable that all the work and effort that has been put forth is coming to fruition,” said Kallelis, a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish.