Author: Jim Venglarik
Spring is well in-bloom and Summer is around the corner. Our Fraternal year is drawing to a close. Easter, the celebration of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and our Salvation, is over. He is Risen! Joy fills our hearts. New Life pervades our thoughts, our plans, our activities. The trees are singing with Green! The flowers are showing their beauty and begging for bees! Home Depot and Lowe’s are bustling with plant, seed, and fertilizer sales. Such an uplifting time of the year!
Below, I am presenting two areas of Life Program opportunity for Council and member consideration, the first to wrap up the Fraternal year of hope for babies and mothers, and the second to bring joy to us and our special friends.
First, the completion of the ASAP program with a Supreme Council goal of $5Million by June 30th. All states and Councils are challenged to meet this goal, which is shy by over $1Million. Please consider one last push for babies and mothers. We have almost two months left. Perhaps have an end of school or beginning of summer Parish cookout or pancake breakfast with proceeds going to your local pregnancy center or maternity home via ASAP. Have a collection of baby clothes, formulas, disposable diapers, flushable wipes, etc. for a center. If you haven’t yet held a baby bottle campaign this year, team up with a center and collect for them. Remember, following the ASAP guidelines, all of these monetary and in-kind donations are matched by $100 for every $500, up to $2,000, by our Supreme Council. That’s an additional $400 maximum for a center in need!
Second, the Special Olympics have now returned to the “old normal” with full operation as before the Pandemic. This April/May, NC County Spring Games are back in full operation. The athletes are excited and anxious to compete, to attain a ribbon, to help their fellow athletes, and to have fun! Check the Special Olympics volunteer opportunities for your county at https://specialolympicsnorthcarolina.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/
The Special Olympics North Carolina State Summer games are planned for Raleigh/Cary/Holly Springs on the weekend of May 31st to June 2nd, 2024. Use the link below to volunteer your time at the games and/or provide a donation to make the games successful. I guarantee that the donation of your time for these special athletes will be returned to you many-fold in joy and peace. These special citizens offer us a model of proper joy, respect, and competitiveness. It warms the Heart! Experience for yourself! Please volunteer: https://sonc.net/sports-competitions/summer-games/
Our KofC State Special Olympic Chairman and Brother Michael Garguilo is coordinating a Sir Knight Honor Guard at the beginning of the NC State Games as we have historically participated.
For all councils in the central part of NC, please consider volunteering as a council, with friends and family members to help as well! A fantastic opportunity for a family! Our children learning to help other children. Nothing better than that!
Enjoy the games!!
Vivat Jesus,
Jim Venglarik
KofC NC Life Director
Life@kofcnc.org