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 and new Ultrasound Program. Our NC ASAP contributions for the fraternal year through February are $35,688, 18th place among all US states and Canadian Provinces, in line with previous year’s position at the February 28th time. Please consider one last push for babies and mothers. Let’s target $75,000 for the year, through the end of June. We have almost two months left. Again, Supreme has challenged us with the “Pass the Hat” program with donations collected by and during the State Convention in Hickory from Councils and Knights. There is a Supreme match of 25% for this program, beyond the 20% for the basic ASAP Program. Donations will go to the most needy Pregnancy Centers and Maternity Homes in NC. “Pass the Hat” contributes to our goal!
The Knights of Columbus nationwide is closing in on the goal of 2,000 ultrasound machines donated! Supreme is looking for a few pregnancy centers who are willing to receive and use low-cost ($3k-$5k) handheld ultrasound models like the Philips Lumify. Email fraternalmission@kofc.org with any questions. Click here for more information about this program.
Second, the Special Olympics of NC are active now in setting up County Spring Games through May. The athletes are excited and anxious to compete, to attain a ribbon, to help their fellow athletes, and to have fun! The athletes especially appreciate our Sir Knights Honor Guard at the beginning of their competition. See the picture below at last years’ NC State Summer Games Opening Ceremony. Check the Special Olympics volunteer opportunities for your county at https://specialolympicsnorthcarolina.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/ or https://sonc.net/local-programs/
The Special Olympics North Carolina State Summer games are planned for Raleigh/Cary/Holly Springs on the weekend of May 30th to June 1st, 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-game
Our new KofC State Special Olympic Chairman and Brother Bob Macaluso is coordinating a Sir Knight Honor Guard at the beginning of the NC State Summer Games as we have historically participated.
Enjoy the games!!
Vivat Jesus,
Jim Venglarik
KofC NC Life Director
Life@kofcnc.org