Back to School Makeover

On Sunday, August 12th and Saturday, August 18th, members of Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council #14360 hitched up their work boots, grabbed their rakes and wheel barrows, and went to work. The Brothers helped All Saints Catholic School in Norwalk and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Wilton spread over 210 yards of mulch for their playgrounds and gardens. The Council enjoys helping the local Catholic Schools with manpower since they run on limited budgets.

It was a large job made much easier by a large turnout from the Knights, who assisted some parents and students from ASCS and OLF Schools. St. Matthew council member AJ Cossuto of AJ’s Landscaping Service, LLC donated his equipment and help arrange the delivery of mulch at Our Lady of Fatima School. “We are so thankful for Brother AJ’s expertise and generosity in donating his time and equipment to this project, said Past Grand Knight and Project Chairman George Ribellino.

This was the first year that Council 14360 assisted Our Lady of Fatima School. The Council has assisted All Saints for the past 5 years. Carmel Bowron, one of the parents at OLF reached out to the St. Matthew Knights since she was familiar with their work at St. Matthew Church, All Saints, Notre Dame Health and Rehabilitation Center and Malta House. Ribellino went on to say, “Our council loves to help the local community and we are always ready for put “Faith in Action” and assist those in need.”

Grand Knight Scott Criscuolo praised his brothers for their efforts. “It was a fantastic effort by the Brothers of Council 14360. We enjoy working with the parents and students of these schools. It is projects like this they make me proud of being Grand Knight of our council,” said Criscuolo.

The council uses the various talents of the members to take on large catering, repair and landscaping projects including remodeling a chapel, painting of rooms at Malta House and the mulching/landscaping projects at the local Catholic Schools and Notre Dame Health and Rehab Center. “We pride ourselves on giving back by using our various talents and helping ease the burden of tight budgets for nonprofit organizations,” said Criscuolo.

In addition, the Council assisted with power washing the playground equipment. “I am so thankful to the Knights of Columbus from St Mathew's Church for their work this past weekend at our school. Our playgrounds had become very run down over the last several years. It was a big project but was with the help of the Knights and some of our own parents, 130 yards of mulch was spread over the two large playgrounds. Thank you, Knights. We could not have done it without your help and our children will benefit from your work all school year. The playgrounds have been transformed,” said Our Lady of Fatima Principal Stan Steele.

The goal of the Knights of Columbus Council at Saint Matthew Church in Norwalk is to perform acts of charity, providing those in need with a range of support from financial to tactical help in dealing with a wide variety of challenges. For more information, visit saintmatthewknights.com.