Growing up in the Catholic Church, Don Striegel was familiar with St. Vincent de Paul. He’d heard about the organization and its work in the community. So, when a fellow parishioner at St. Jude Catholic Church invited him to volunteer with SVdP Indy, Don didn’t hesitate.
That was 1974.
Over the next 50 years, Don continued his involvement with SVdP Indy. He made a tremendous impact on the organization and his neighbors in need. Don initially volunteered monthly at SVdP Indy’s Distribution Center before it was officially named the “Distribution Center” and while it was still located in an old house.
“The house was so cramped with items that we’d start the day by moving all the donated furniture that had been stored out onto the street, so we’d have space to move around and organize items for families,” he recalls.
Don’s main volunteer job was driving the truck to pick up donations.
“I drove one of those box trucks—it was old and horrible on snow and ice,” he says. “We had interesting challenges back then but somehow worked through them all.”
Don also got involved with SVdP Indy at the Conference level. He made home visits, connecting with families about their needs and how SVdP Indy could help them. These visits were essential to Don. He grew up in a large family—one of 11 children—on a small farm in southern Indiana. He knew what it was like to have limited resources, so it was meaningful to him to help others who had less and needed extra support.
He volunteered at the Distribution Center for many years throughout its multiple moves. After the old house, the Distribution Center moved to former Sacred Heart Catholic School—on the second floor.
“We had more space than the previous location—which was great—but the space was on the second floor,” he says. “We had to move donated furniture and refrigerators up a ramp for storage, and back down to load into a truck for a neighbor in need.”
Giving to Grow the Golden Rule
From the moment Don got involved with SVdP Indy, he found passion and purpose in the work—so much so that he increased his time commitment and became a leader. He served as the Conference president for six years, the District president for another six years, and then the Council president, serving two three-year terms.
During his second term, Don participated on a team that studied and established the first client choice food pantry. He was one of the operational leaders that helped the food ministry grow from infancy to the largest operation in the Midwest.
“I am thankful and proud of the opportunities I had to help grow the organization,” he says. “It was certainly a stretch at times. I served in those positions while working and raising a family, but it was very rewarding.”
And all possible, Don says, because of his wife of 55 years, Dorothy.
“She supported me and kept everything running so I could be away from home volunteering,” he says.
He’s also quick to point out that he had the support of many great volunteers: “So many people stepped up and donated time and talents in finance, logistics, etc. They took care of things so, as an organization, we could help as many as possible.”
Don says SVdP Indy has grown “leaps and bounds,” and it’s been exciting to witness firsthand.
“The growth is because of all the people—we’ve had good leadership, dedicated volunteers, and now a great staff,” he says. “I remember when it was just volunteer-run, but it needed to transition to staff and volunteers to meet the community’s growing needs. It was the right thing to do.”
And Don thinks the mission is stronger than ever.
“I just love the “Love Your Neighbor” terminology,” he says. “That’s what it’s been about all along.”
Sowing Generously, So SVdP Can Reap Generously
Don’s involvement with SVdP has scaled back today, though he still helps with some reporting. But he’s far from retired from volunteer work. Now, his efforts are more focused at the parish level. He’s part of St. Jude’s Young at Heart group, a Eucharist minister, part of the choir, and on the hospitality team.
And, of course, an advocate for anyone interested in learning about SVdP Indy.
