Our History

Our Story: A Legacy of Compassion and Community

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lake Mills began in 1965, thanks to the vision and determination of Father Bernard Pickarts. A spirited young priest, Father Pickarts encouraged five men from St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Johnson Creek and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Lake Mills to attend a meeting in Madison to explore forming a local conference. Legend has it that after the meeting, Father Pickarts wouldn’t let the men out of the car until they agreed on a date for their first gathering—and with that, a mission was set in motion.

In those early days, the group met biweekly to find ways to raise funds and provide meaningful assistance to local individuals and families in need. With support from their parish communities, they were able to offer financial help to those seeking aid. The mission took a significant step forward when Don and Mary Pat Klein generously rented the group a small storefront on Water Street, giving rise to the first St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Lake Mills. Open only on Fridays and Saturdays, the store was lovingly run by the wives of the founding members, who sorted, priced, and managed sales of donated goods.

Thanks to the generosity of the surrounding communities, the store quickly grew. In 1992, it moved to its current location on East Lake Street. Since then, the store has expanded with two additions, made possible by continued community support and a shared belief in our mission.

To this day, the Lake Mills Conference meets twice a month for prayer, reflection, and to review applications for assistance. Our work is rooted in the founding principle of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul: to serve those in need with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Our team is made up entirely of dedicated volunteers who offer their time, energy, and hearts to make a difference. Even the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact—and that’s why we’re always grateful to welcome new volunteers who share our commitment to serving others and uplifting our neighbors in need.