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Brother Knights and Friends of Union Council 4504

As I reflect back on the just ended Christmas season, I sense that many of the members of our Council really take the message of Christmas to heart. In the weeks prior to Christmas we had several events, small and large, which gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to charity and those less fortunate, and we clearly came through.

To begin, our Council combined with the Union Elks to sponsor the annual Christmas party for the students at Burnett school.  We have supported this event for years and use some of the funds that we raise in our Special Citizens Drive to pay for the food, while the Elks donate their hall.  While our actual attendance at this dinner has varied over the years, I was proud that at this year’s event, Knights and their families required extra seating at the table that had been set aside for us.

The very next weekend, we sponsored the annual Camp Fatima Christmas party along with Sister Ann Dominic.  Similar to the event noted above, this party honors children with special needs, and allows them and their families a few hours of pleasure and a visit with Santa to brighten their holidays.  As always, a large contingent of Knights was there to assist, doing everything from helping the visitors set up the wheelchair ramps, cooking and serving, making last minute runs for the ice cream, and of course, donning the red suit for the honorees.

We continued the theme of providing for the children with the Columbiettes annual Breakfast with Santa, where our own children and grandchildren were the honorees.  This year’s event was a great financial success, and the sponsors immediately made a significant contribution to two charities to enhance their efforts for the Christmas season.

One of those two charities was for the Council’s effort to provide gifts and fun for the students at the Deron School, a block away from our Council home.  Using the funds from individual contributions and the Columbiette donation, we were able to buy gifts to be used at each of the school’s 15 classes at a cost of over $1000.00.

Finally, even our routine contribution of assisting the patients at Runnels hospital in getting to mass on Christmas had more participants than ever this year.

These are just the events that I am aware of, and that many of you have done even more to brighten the holidays.  Thanks to all for what you do on behalf of others.  It makes me more proud to be a Knight of Columbus, from Union Council 4504!

Vivat Jesus!
Andy Schopfer, PGK
Grand Knight 2011-2012