Photo courtesy of STEP-IN
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to be distributed to the poor by the Albertine sisters and brothers. In Lithuania, Knights — together with the Archdiocese of Vilnius — translated the Order’s Building the Domestic Church booklets and printed 50,000 copies that were distributed to parishes throughout the country. In Ukraine, Council 16417 in Khmelnytskyi raised awareness of veterans with disabilities and collected funds and materials to help their families. In Korea, Knights from Council 16000 in Seoul assist migrant workers with donations of basic necessities. They also provide scholarships for the children of refugees from North Korea. In Mexico, members of Council 13963 in Mérida, Mexico South, reached out to poor families during Holy Week and Christmas by bringing them basic necessities, spending time praying with them and giving toys to children. In France, members of Council 16502 in Paris renovated a room at their parish to use for youth activities and raised funds for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Knights from Council 16503, also in Paris, sponsored sports activities at their parish for the children of their neighborhood, many of whom are Muslim. Knights are also there when natural disasters strike. In August 2016, more than 30 inches of rain fell in southern Louisiana in only a few days. The rainfall was equal to three times the water that inundated the region during Hurricane Katrina. More than 60,000 homes were flooded. In response, the Supreme Council spearheaded a national fundraising campaign to assist the flood victims. That September, I visited the area with Supreme Secretary Michael O’Connor. We witnessed firsthand our relief efforts. The destruction was breathtaking, but so was the response of our brother Knights. Among the first to respond were members of Council 9247 in Baton Rouge. They were joined by the Louisiana State Council and Knights throughout the region to provide meals, emergency supplies and hands-on support. They transported drinking water and even filled sandbags to stop the flooding. They also helped relocate families and served more than 4,000 meals to those affected. After the floodwaters subsided, the work of our brother Knights continued as they assisted with the rebuilding. Then, soon after these floods, Knights came to the aid of victims of Hurricane Matthew. In addition to local relief efforts in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, Knights from throughout the country provided aid. And Knights of Columbus Charities raised more than $100,000 for emergency relief. Hurricane Matthew hit the Caribbean as well, and brother Knights in Puerto Rico purchased and shipped bottled water to victims in Haiti. Some disasters capture national or international headlines. Others attract little attention but are no less devastating. In both cases, Knights turn out to help.
Doctors and staff who serve displaced Christians and other minorities targeted for genocide by Islamic State militants are pictured at the STEPIN clinic, a medical center in Erbil, Iraq, supported by the Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund.
After a destructive apartment fire in Littleton, Colo., Knights from Council 3340 worked evenings preparing dinner for those displaced by the fire. When our neighbors need help, Knights respond. One of the greatest examples is our Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program. This initiative started in the winter of 2009, and since then, we have distributed 394,722 new winter coats. Last year, 1,736 councils provided coats for 88,062 children. Many of our U.S. councils distribute coats for kids on the day after Thanksgiving. Pioneered by Connecticut Knights, these Black Friday coat distributions are now conducted by councils from coast to coast. In Lincoln, Neb., Knights teamed up with first responders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln student athletes and former NFL players to provide more than 1,000 coats to kids at the local Catholic Social Services center. Another one of our popular programs is Food for Families. Also begun in 2009, this initiative continues to grow. Last year, councils donated nearly 3 million pounds of food and almost $1.6 million to support soup kitchens and similar programs. Council 8045 in Airdrie, Alberta, partnered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to conduct a 40 Cans for Lent food drive. The council set a goal of 2,500 pounds of food, but after six weeks, it had collected more than 9,200 pounds for a local food bank. OCTOBER 2017
♦ COLUMBIA
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