When St. Louisans hear the words ‘Veiled Prophet,’ they often think of the local summer fair and parade or the annual VP Ball with young women dressed in colorful gowns. But there is another important component to the Veiled Prophet Organization that drives its mission of supporting the community. Known as the Community Service Initiative (CSI), the year-round volunteer effort embraces the foundation’s motto of helping make St. Louis a better place to live for all.
The organization’s philanthropic arm, the Veiled Prophet Foundation, provides funding for CSI projects, which have continued to grow in size and quantity over the years. The foundation holds an annual fundraising drive and a fashion show with hosting sponsor Saks Fifth Avenue and support from many other organizations. Each year, the VP maids roll up their sleeves and get involved in CSI’s community betterment efforts, but there’s a chance for others to volunteer, too. Service projects take place throughout the year and involve the entire VP family, including members, maids and their relatives, says foundation chairman Parker B. Condie Jr.
“The foundation acts as a collaborator to identify projects that are meaningful, where volunteers can play a large role,” he says. “We also use our members’ professional networks to help source products, services and sponsorships. Then we bring together people with different backgrounds, needs and experiences, and help them make connections with others.”
According to Condie, 2017 has been an especially successful year for the foundation’s service efforts. “We capped off the year with a building project at The Biome School, our most ambitious one to date,” he notes. The two-phase project will establish an outdoor learning center and playground at the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) charter school, which opened in Midtown in 2015. The project has received funding from Edward Jones, U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, Veiled Prophet Foundation, Royal Vagabonds Foundation, PK Construction, Forum Studio, Civil Design Inc. and Butler’s Pantry.
Past projects include erecting a monument for fallen officers of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, installing a playground for Zion Lutheran Church in Ferguson, and rebuilding and repairing homes for area residents in need. The VP Foundation has partnered with the Royal Vagabonds Foundation, another local fraternal organization, to complete work on both The Biome School and Zion Lutheran projects.
Since CSI’s inception in 2002, there has been growth every year in its projects, number of volunteers and volunteer hours. Last year, a total of 34 projects were completed. “CSI has become a mainstay of our organization,” Condie notes. “Our members and their families tell us the volunteer opportunities are among the most meaningful benefits of being part of the VP.”
Condie says there is a strong theme of social responsibility woven throughout the Veiled Prophet Organization that is all about paying good fortune forward. “When we say we will do a project to improve the community, we get it done,” he notes. “That’s why so many people are willing to join us.”
The Veiled Prophet Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Veiled Prophet Organization, leading St. Louis-area community betterment projects throughout the year through its CSI initiative. Pictured on the cover: Veiled Prophet Queen of Love and Beauty Corinne Marie Condie and her father, Parker B. Condie Jr.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo by Thomas Warwick Photography
Pictured at top: Community Service Initiative projects bring smiles.
Photo courtesy of the Veiled Prophet Foundation
