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Letter to the editor

Beyond golf, lunch, shopping

Instead of retiring, this 70-something will serve the poor.

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, Times Staff Writer
Published October 7, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG- The crucifix on a wall behind Patricia Waltrich's desk has been purposefully placed.

It reminds her of the job she has been called to do, says Waltrich, the new executive director of the South Pinellas District Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

"Every time I look at Christ on the cross, I think of his suffering and I think of the suffering of the people that we serve, their suffering of loneliness and hunger and homelessness and estrangement from society. ... We see in them the face of Christ."

The St. Pete Beach woman has taken a circuitous route to her new position as head of the local charity that operates a food center, thrift store, transitional housing complex, nighttime shelter for the homeless and an emergency assistance hotline. After years of retirement and caring for her late husband through a lengthy illness, Waltrich considers herself lucky to have a new career and a chance to help the needy.

"Somebody said that God led me to this job," said Waltrich, who describes herself as "70-ish."

"Sometimes the days are a little bit of firefighting, but in the end, I am truly blessed by a marvelous staff. They see this as a mission, and it is. I have to wake up every morning and say, 'Thank you, God, for giving me this opportunity.' "

Waltrich retired to Florida in 1993 after a long career in communications and public relations. At one time she owned and edited a weekly newspaper and was a council member in New Jersey. Most recently, she served as St. Vincent de Paul's volunteer manager of public affairs. In July, she became its interim executive director.

"At the time, I said I am not a candidate for the permanent post. I made that clear, but the truth of the matter was, I realized how much I missed working. I think a lot of retirees think, 'I'm going to make a career of golf and lunch and shopping,' " she said.

Last week she was appointed to the permanent post.

Richard Kubick, president of St. Vincent de Paul's board of directors, said the organization got about 90 resumes. The board chose Waltrich because of what she had accomplished during her short stint as interim director, he said.

"We just have to keep that momentum going," Kubick said.

Waltrich is following in the footsteps of well-known predecessor Sophie Sampson, who retired in June because of illness.

"Sophie was and is a remarkable woman and she's done so much over the years for St. Vincent de Paul," Waltrich said.

"I said to councilman Jamie Bennett, 'I have big shoes to fill.' And he responded, 'You have your own shoes to fill.' Which I thought was a nice comment. I don't feel intimidated or overwhelmed. I have been a manager for many years and I think I can hold my own and I think we have made so much progress in the last three months ... that I feel we can just go forward. Sophie did a wonderful job. I hope that I can do just as good a job."

To that end, Waltrich has begun to make changes. She has moved a statue of the Virgin Mary to a central spot in the administrative offices, with candles and a basket for prayer requests. She has also given her staff of 26 more responsibility. Department heads now create their own budgets, and evaluations and raises are based on their achievement of goals and objectives.

"These people know their jobs," she said.

During a tour of the agency's facilities at Third Avenue and 15th Street N, Waltrich was greeted warmly by employees and volunteers.

Jackie Williams, who directs the transitional housing program for 87 homeless veterans and other men and women, drew a chuckle when she talked about one of the incentives for getting residents to keep their rooms clean. They vie for the Martha Stewart Award, Williams said.

Waltrich hopes that St. Vincent de Paul will continue the work it has been doing in St. Petersburg since 1933.

"My vision is that we will be able to continue forever helping the poor, the homeless, the people who are living such disenfranchised lives. It's not only food, it's compassion. It's hope. It's a smile."

Waveney Ann Moore can be reached at wmoore@sptimes.com or 727 892-2283.

A closer look

By the numbers*

273,600 meals served

22,550 volunteer hours

12,190 received assistance through emergency referral line

$60,947 value of items needy received through thrift store

32,600 pounds of food distributed in food baskets

8,657 homeless people used overnight shelter since April

St. Vincent de Paul

To volunteer: (727) 823-2516

For assistance: (727) 825-0725

*last fiscal year

[Last modified October 6, 2007, 20:32:11]