Meet Vincentian Volunteer (and Top Hat Award Winner) – Mel Schrader!
Mel Schrader admits that he probably wouldn’t look all that great wearing a top hat. As the most recent St. Vincent de Paul Omaha’s “Top Hat Award” winner, though, Mel’s thankful that donning an actual top hat is not a requirement.
Each year, the Society recognizes a Vincentian volunteer for their outstanding work with the poor, following the example of the organization’s founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, his mentor, Sr. Rosalie Rendu, and St. Vincent de Paul. As early 19th century Frenchmen often did, Frederic Ozanam wore a top hat. As such, the top hat has become an iconic symbol to the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Now, the “Top Hat Award” is presented annually to a Vincentian volunteer whose life and service exemplifies a person with a compassionate heart for those in need.
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” After Mel and his wife, Susan, moved to Omaha and became members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in 2006, Mel became the living personification of this saying at their parish. While he works at his “real” job at Offutt Air Force Base during the day, Mel is incredibly active in the life of the parish. He manages St. Charles’ SSVP Conference’s food pantry and has done so for over four years. In addition to his SSVP service, Mel has been involved with the following groups and activities at St. Charles Borromeo over the years: Music Ministry, the parish Men's Group, various Bible studies and spiritual formation small groups, RCIA, EMHC, Lector, Parish Council, Quo Vadis Parish Retreat, Knights of Columbus & Lenten Fish Fries, Habitat for Humanity, and serving at the Open Door Mission.
Each year, the Society recognizes a Vincentian volunteer for their outstanding work with the poor, following the example of the organization’s founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, his mentor, Sr. Rosalie Rendu, and St. Vincent de Paul. As early 19th century Frenchmen often did, Frederic Ozanam wore a top hat. As such, the top hat has become an iconic symbol to the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Now, the “Top Hat Award” is presented annually to a Vincentian volunteer whose life and service exemplifies a person with a compassionate heart for those in need.
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” After Mel and his wife, Susan, moved to Omaha and became members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in 2006, Mel became the living personification of this saying at their parish. While he works at his “real” job at Offutt Air Force Base during the day, Mel is incredibly active in the life of the parish. He manages St. Charles’ SSVP Conference’s food pantry and has done so for over four years. In addition to his SSVP service, Mel has been involved with the following groups and activities at St. Charles Borromeo over the years: Music Ministry, the parish Men's Group, various Bible studies and spiritual formation small groups, RCIA, EMHC, Lector, Parish Council, Quo Vadis Parish Retreat, Knights of Columbus & Lenten Fish Fries, Habitat for Humanity, and serving at the Open Door Mission.
When asked how and why he became so involved with parish life, a very humble Mel responded: “Well, I was just inspired by so many parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo. I saw them doing amazing work in the service of the parish and of those in Omaha who are in need. So, whenever a call was put out to be involved in service of whatever sort, I just said, `yes’. And, I just kept saying yes, including to the important work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.”
After the new church building was finished in 2010, St. Charles Borromeo’s St. Vincent de Paul conference was able to expand. Mel volunteered to help with the group’s growing food pantry program, which consists of a parish food collection on the 4th Sunday of each month. The food that is collected is then transported to the SSVP Food Pantry, located at 21st & Leavenworth Street in downtown Omaha. Members of this SSVP conference also volunteer at the 21st & Leavenworth pantry, re-stocking shelves and helping neighbors visiting the pantry obtain the food that they need.
In 2019, the person who had been in charge of organizing St. Charles Borromeo’s food collections was planning to move away from Omaha. Wanting to make sure that this program would be in good hands, he asked Mel to consider taking over this food pantry effort. Not surprisingly, Mel responded in the same way he’d responded to previous calls to service. He once again just said "yes." Mel has been in this food pantry leadership role ever since.
When asked why he continues to lead the food pantry program at St. Borromeo’s SSVP conference, Mel humbly replies: “I realize that I am very blessed and feel the Lord's call to serve in this way. I am also blessed to be at this parish with so many tremendous volunteers. We have so many people more than willing to help. They really make this easy to do.”
When asked about how being involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – and the food pantry program – has enriched his faith, Mel shares: “In the Gospels, Jesus spoke about serving the poor so many times. In my mind, the work of the Society is certainly something Jesus would recognize as His own. It is such a blessing to be able to alleviate someone’s hunger. For me, being involved with SSVP is a natural extension of my own faith and really not separated from what happens within the walls of the church on Sundays; it is simply part and parcel of it!"
After the new church building was finished in 2010, St. Charles Borromeo’s St. Vincent de Paul conference was able to expand. Mel volunteered to help with the group’s growing food pantry program, which consists of a parish food collection on the 4th Sunday of each month. The food that is collected is then transported to the SSVP Food Pantry, located at 21st & Leavenworth Street in downtown Omaha. Members of this SSVP conference also volunteer at the 21st & Leavenworth pantry, re-stocking shelves and helping neighbors visiting the pantry obtain the food that they need.
In 2019, the person who had been in charge of organizing St. Charles Borromeo’s food collections was planning to move away from Omaha. Wanting to make sure that this program would be in good hands, he asked Mel to consider taking over this food pantry effort. Not surprisingly, Mel responded in the same way he’d responded to previous calls to service. He once again just said "yes." Mel has been in this food pantry leadership role ever since.
When asked why he continues to lead the food pantry program at St. Borromeo’s SSVP conference, Mel humbly replies: “I realize that I am very blessed and feel the Lord's call to serve in this way. I am also blessed to be at this parish with so many tremendous volunteers. We have so many people more than willing to help. They really make this easy to do.”
When asked about how being involved in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – and the food pantry program – has enriched his faith, Mel shares: “In the Gospels, Jesus spoke about serving the poor so many times. In my mind, the work of the Society is certainly something Jesus would recognize as His own. It is such a blessing to be able to alleviate someone’s hunger. For me, being involved with SSVP is a natural extension of my own faith and really not separated from what happens within the walls of the church on Sundays; it is simply part and parcel of it!"
