COMMUNITY PROGRAM

The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” Never were truer words spoken. Friday evening’s opening of the 2011 State Organizational Meeting (July 8 – 10) was like a fireworks dis-play on the Fourth of July – a beautiful night sky filled with brilliant star programs and bursting new initiatives all for the greater glory of God. This spirit of excitement carried over into the pres-entations on Saturday. Amidst the handouts, slide shows, videos and lively music, we were ex-horted to explore and adopt programs of service to our brothers and the community. While space doesn’t allow me to include everything, here are some highlights:

Global Wheelchair Program (chair, Dave Wilson - navydaze@comporium.net , 626-627-5792), a program sponsored by KofC Supreme to assist those needing wheelchairs, especially veterans;

Coats for Kids (chair, Rick White - rijema@juno.com , 704-880-4339), another KofC Supreme sponsored activity that calls for very little outlay up front but provides warm coats for needy chil-dren for the winter – councils need to act ASAP in order to get delivery in time for winter;

Veterans’ Affairs (chair, Dan Crockett – kcvetaffairs@gmail.com , 704-644-8383), a mix of outstanding national and statewide fully sanctioned programs to appreciate and assist our veterans – many of these can easily be incorporated into national holidays and can be done in collaboration with your local 4th Degree Assembly;

Social Justice (chair, Joe Rothengast - jjrgk@jmja.com , 919-931-3635), a broad range of programs in support of the Order’s stand on issues in society such as the Right to Life for the elderly as well as the unborn, and other evangelization initiatives of the Church; In conjunction with this, Ms. Kathleen Walsh, Diocesan Executive Director of Catholic Charities (www.dioceseofraleigh.org/how/social/ – 919-821-9750) spoke to the full audience about the many collaborations with the KofC to aid the needy, feed the hungry, house the home-less, bring Christian justice to those that have been wronged, and in general to carry out Christ’s commandments to love;

Disaster Relief (chair, Joel (Coach) Kane - joelpkane@aol.com 910-548-8623) is an international effort by Supreme to enhance the KofC’s ability to respond to natural disasters and other catastrophic events even more effectively at the local, national and international levels;

Food for Families (chair, Patrick Okoronkwo - pokor22@yahoo.com , 919-438-7089), an activity to feed the hungry that had been carried out for many years by local councils has been given special significance and international recognition by the Order; Habitat for Humanity (chair, Jim Lueck JimL96@earthlink.net, 919-810-7597), an internationally known venture pro-viding housing for those in need is increasingly supported by the efforts of knights and their fami-lies and is highly recognized by Supreme; And arguably the jewel in the crown of Community pro-grams,

Special Olympics (chair, Ernesto (Neto) Chapa - netochapa@aol.com, 910-489-6121), perhaps the most recognized community program supported by the KofC internationally, nation-ally and locally; This program touches the hearts and lives of millions worldwide and is significantly supported by the KofC at all levels. Please go to www.sonc.net to obtain the schedule of events near you and opportunities to be involved.

Please do not wait to be invited to include these programs in your council’s activities plan for the fraternal year, just do it! If you need assistance or wish someone to speak to your council please contact any of the chairmen above or me (Denis Carter, State Director, Community Programs – deniscarter@bellsouth.net, 910-616-2826). Remember, good program-ming drives active membership and recruitment.