Objective: meeting as many Vincentians as possible and participating in the traditional "La Guignolée"’ in Orléans.

• Arrival at Uplands Airport
• Greeted by Bernie and Wanda Hartlin
• Drove me to my hotel.
• Dec. 1, breakfast with a group of Vincentians from Vanier
• Gave me the impression that all of Vanier were attending that breakfast
• All proceeds ($50,000) went to the Vanier Community Centre.
• Participated in the meeting of the executive of Ottawa Central Council.
• Visited the new SSVP Store on Merivale
• Met staff and acting executive director, Marilyn Powell.
• Visited the older SSVP Store on Wellington Street
• Met staff and toured the premises.
• Visited Hope Sophie Centre with Solange and Clermont Fortin, a francophone drop-in centre for marginalized women. Help to improve health, listening and support, recreational and cultural activities, information and referral, emergency help with food and clothing
• Snacks and hot meal at supper time.
• Supper with local Vincentians in a leisurely and relaxed atmosphere.
• On Dec 3, visited Vincentians at St. Patrick’s Basilica Conference
• Met Kelly and Aleksandra Doyle. Kelly is president of the conference.

• Headed to St. Joseph church in Orléans where the activities associated with ‘’La Guignolée’’ were underway. Groups are picking up their SSVP ID and can (for collecting $) and getting ready to leave church basement to their respective canvassing zone
• Households in some 140 zones will be solicited for food and money.
• I met the organizers, I discussed with the president of the Orléans conference (Pierrtte Morin), saw the empty room soon to be filled with the collected goods

• I joined a team of canvassers and spent 2 hours knocking on doors, signing and explaining what we are doing and why
• I returned to the church in time to see some goods starting to come in
• I was driven to the airport in time for my 5:00 pm plane
• Had supper at home in London while Vincentians and Volunteers in Orléans were enjoying their traditional bean supper.
• An exhausting weekend but glad to have done it.

Note: ‘’La Guignolée’’ mobilizes some 350 to 400 Vincentians and Volunteers.