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Coats for Kids 2022
The Union Knights of Columbus has once again participated in Supreme’s “Coats for Kids” program by purchasing Children’s coats for our Parishes to distribute through their Social Service Ministries to children in need of winter coats this year. This is the second year that the Union Council has participated in this Supreme Program.
The Coats for Kids committee co-chaired by Anthony Spina and Steve Nagy were able to raise funds from the community in order to purchase four cases of boys and girls winter coats that were given to our Parishes for distribution.
Our Supreme Council has boys and girls winter coats available for Councils to purchase form them in cases of twelve coats at a cost of less than $20 per coat. Councils across North America can purchase new winter coats at a discount to be distributed to the children in need in their local communities.
Three cases totaling 36 boys and girls winter coats were given to the “HUGS” (Hands of God) Ministry at St. Michael’s Parish to distribute and one case of 12 coats for boys was given to Holy Spirit Parish for their Social Ministries to distribute to children in need of winter coats this year.
This is our second year giving coats to the “HUGS” Ministry at St. Michael’s Parish and our first year giving coats to Holy Spirit Parish so they can set up a distribution network for these coats.
While this year’s contribution of winter coats is completed, we are planning to start next year’s program early and to solicit donations from Parishioners of both Parishes in September and October 2023. And we will accept any donations from now until next December. Checks can be made out to Union Knights of Columbus 4504 and write “Coats for Kids” on the memo line.
Give the gift of warmth to a child for as little as $20 per coat or $240 per case of twelve coats.
With the great success of this year’s program, we are planning to increase it for next year for both Parishes. We are also looking into expanding and assisting with other items and supplies for infant’s and children’s needs such as the “HUGS” Ministry presently does.
Charitable Raffles
Our Council holds three charitable raffles throughout the year:
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May - Memorial Day
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September - Family Picnic
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December - Christmas dinner
If you are interested in receiving tickets through the mail, please send me an email (mikemarisolam@gmail.com ) or call me at (908) 370-4126. Tickets are also available approximately one month prior to each drawing.
In an effort to decrease our expenses, please be certain that the Council has your updated address so that your potential winning tickets are not returned to me by the Post Office as undeliverable. Unfortunately, this occurs far too frequently, and not only adds to our expenses but also decreases the potential prizes available to all who do participate.
Please, don’t hesitate to contact me to ensure that we do have your correct mailing address!
4504 Helps Feed 3,000 Families
Several knights were instrumental in providing food on November 19th to more than 3,000 families who drove through Kean University’s parking lot to pick up the donations. The County of Union supplied the fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, Hawaiian rolls, a 30-pound box of canned goods – and a choice of a turkey, ham, chicken, or lasagna.
However, to allow for efficient distribution, Brother Knight Jack Schultz and his crew from the Union County Parks Department began their work at midnight. In the dark, they unloaded pallets upon pallets of provisions from the Shop-Rite tractor trailers and Garguilo Produce box trucks – and divided them into 24 equal stations. With County Police directing traffic, cars entered one of 4 lanes from the Morris Avenue entrance, opened their trunks, and received the goodies before exiting onto North Avenue. Previous flyers, emails, and information on the County’s website alerted citizens of the opportunity. Apparently, food insecurity did not dissuade people from waiting in lines that backed up all the way to the Garden State Parkway entrance.
Over 120 volunteers included Union County employees, representatives of trade unions, high school students from Union and Elizabeth, and others. DJ Alex played sounds to keep the volunteers warm. Sir Knights Allan Pascullo (Past Faithful Navigator) and Ray Gora (Color Corps Commander) participated in the distribution along with a brother Knight from the Rahway Council from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. Since March 2020 over 20 million pounds of food have been given away in various Union County locations. This event was repeated on December 17th the Saturday before Christmas.
4504 Union COLUMBIETTES
The Union Columbiettes is a women's organization and we work for all kinds of charities. We meet on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM.
If you know a Catholic woman that would to join our ranks of sister’s hood, please contact me Fran Corcione President at mrsc417@hotmail.com or call 973-454-4145.
The “HUGS” Ministry
Thank you Luke Sangiamo for supplying the 12 cases of Baby Formula to our Council for us to donate to the "HUGS" Ministry at St. Michael's Parish.
The "HUGS" Ministry will see to it that this formula is given to families in need of baby formula for their infants.
Food Drive
Council 4504 food drive continues. We are accepting non-perishable food at the Union Columbian Club. Thank you all in advance.
