Have some fun and benefit St. Lawrence Place

One of seven deacons in ancient Rome tasked with giving to the poor and the needy, St. Lawrence was as effective as he was doomed: when the Roman Emperor asked St. Lawrence to bring him the church’s treasures, he gathered up the sick and the homeless and brought them to the palace, announcing that his charges were, indeed, the riches of the church.

That attitude is on full display at St. Lawrence Place, a Columbia-area nonprofit that helps homeless families transition into families with homes. Along the way, parents and children are reminded every day that they are loved and valued.

“It’s an empowering program,” volunteer Anne Miller said. “Families work on everything from literacy to financial management. When it’s time to leave, they’re ready to face the world.”

On Friday, April 10, St. Lawrence Place will hold its ninth annual Angels Tea and Silent Auction. Along with providing general funds for St. Lawrence Place, the event will support the organization’s summer programs, which allow resident children to participate in various camps and arts programs all summer long.

It also kicks off an exhibition at the Columbia Museum of Art of paintings and drawings done by the children.

For the first time, the event will be held at the Columbia Museum of Art. . “We’ve got 70 auction items – more than ever,” Miller said.

Auction items this year include Park Hopper passes to Disney World, original artwork (including an original painting by artist Julia Moore), perch-level tickets to a USC baseball game, a beach weekend and much more. The event begins at 10:30 a.m.; tickets are $25. For more information, visit stlawrenceplace.org.

Katie McElveen, Special to The State

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 12:40 AM with the headline "Have some fun and benefit St. Lawrence Place."