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UPDATE
The following is a Letter to the Editor as printed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in the July 10, 2009 edition on page A14.
Click here to view the online posting at stltoday.com.
Veiled Prophet's work extends beyond fair, parade
While the weather posed challenges, St. Louis again demonstrated its true character as tens of thousands of people streamed downtown to watch the Veiled Prophet Parade and Fair Saint Louis last weekend. Everyone at VP thanks the community for its patience and the parade and Fair Saint Louis on the Arch grounds were enjoyable.
We also are proud to support the upcoming LIVE on the Levee concert series. In 2008, the beverage sales at both the Fair and LIVE on the Levee raised more than $100,000 for local charities.
Since 1878, members of VP have worked tirelessly to promote St. Louis and its businesses by drawing people to the downtown core. All of that is done by folks who are not interested in individual attention for their efforts, but rather the organization's good work. And the VP's good deeds go well beyond the annual parade and free entertainment.
This summer, as a part of VP's work, more than 375 young women and their families are working on a number of projects, including the planting of flowers for Operation Brightside; the renovation of homes and other assistance for Beyond Housing; landscaping, painting and other work at several St. Louis Public Schools; and landscaping work for Forest Park Forever. These projects, totaling more than 3,000 volunteer hours by the end of the summer, will be led by young women who are to be recognized for their civic involvement at the VP Ball in December.
On Saturday, we paused to remember one of our own, 1st Lt. Roslyn Littmann Schulte, USAF, who was a VP Maid of Honor in 2003. We are honored that the Schulte family wished to join us in celebrating their daughter's commitment to serving others as a military officer in Afghanistan or as a community volunteer in St. Louis. That's the VP we know and why its members have remained very committed for more than 130 years.
Bob Schenk, Chairman, Public Relations Committee, 2009 VP Parade
PREVIOUS UPDATE
 It may have been a bit wet, but for those that participated and attended, the 2009 Annual Veiled Prophet Parade has retained the tradition of the nation's most spectacular Independence Day parade.
 On behalf of the Veiled Prophet Organization -- we thank everyone for helping to make this year's event such as success. Given a year's worth of work and the thousands of participants waiting to hit the parade route -- no one wanted to let rain get in the way of maintaining this 132 year old tradition. Plus, as we've been saying for many months -- Everybody Needs A Vacation.
We invite you to view the following media clips for additional information.
For information about the winners of the Band Competition, please click here. Congratulations to all participants!!
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