Sweltering weather July 21 did not dampen the spirits of people celebrating a sleek new truck to help the poor.

With Monsignor Donald Kiernan, pastor of All Saints, Dunwoody, doing the honors, the truck was blessed outside the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store on Clairmont Road in Chamblee. The mercury had just topped 100 degrees at 5:30 p.m.

Replacing a battered 1974 truck, the 14-foot vehicle was a combined gift to the Society from foundations, the archdiocese of Atlanta, and private individuals.

It will be used to pick up donations of furniture and appliances that will be given away to people in need. The truck will also be used as a mobile thrift store, traveling to pre-arranged sites, such as parishes and schools, either to provide needed goods to people in that area, or to make a coordinated pick-up of donations.

The truck will enable the Second Hand Rose store, which is run by the particular council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, to double daily pick-ups of donations from 5 to 10 per day.

Among those helping with the truck purchase were the Tull Charitable Foundation, Katherine John Murphy Foundation, Baranco Pontiac, GMS Truck, Inc. the archdiocese of Atlanta and Richard and Anne Schweitzer, longtime SVDP supporters.

Sheila Bissonnette, executive director of the particular council, and Carolina Antonini, store manager, hosted the celebration and reception at the 3660 Clairmont Road site. The normally crowded floor was transformed into a buffet with friends and supporters celebrating the spanking new vehicle.

To arrange for a visit from the mobile thrift store, call Mrs. Antonini at 770-457-9648.

There are also SVDP parish conference thrift stores in Stone Mountain, Lilburn, Norcross, and Lawrenceville.