Neighbor News
Knights of Columbus Distribute 500 Coats to Kids in Need
Local Councils team up with the Family & Children's Agency as part of the Coats
NORWALK—On Saturday, October 29th more than 500brand new coats, winter hats and gloves were distributed by the Greater Norwalk area Knights of Columbus Councils as part of the Order’s Coats for Kids Initiative with Family & Children’s Agency (FCA). This Initiative helps keep kids warm over the winter months by providing this necessity.
Due to the precautions due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Knights had to do it slightly different again this year. Normally, the families would come down to the distribution site and the Knights would assist with finding the correct size. To be safe during the pandemic, the Knights of Columbus and FCA decided to have the Knights set up the coats at FCA’s building on 140 Water Street in Norwalk. FCA will have social workers pick up the coats and distribute them to the families directly.
Knights of Columbus Councils from Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Wilton, and Bishop Fenwick Assembly4th Degree Assembly 100 came together to purchase the brand-new coats. The local event is part of the Knights of Columbus national Leave No Neighbor Behind initiative. Since the program launched in 2009, more than 800,000 coats have been distributed in 49 states and all 10 Canadian provinces.
“The pandemic has created an even bigger need in our community, so we do what Knights do by assisting our brothers and sisters when times are rough,” said Project Chairman George Ribellino. “I love seeing Brother Knights come together from different councils to combine resources to help more people in need.”
Once the coats were sorted by the brother Knights, St Matthew Church (Norwalk) Pastor Father Jeffrey Couture blessed the coats.
“This is the second year that Father Jeff came and blessed the coats, and we are so appreciative of him taking time out of his busy schedule to come down early on a Saturday morning to bless the coats," said Ribellino
Huge thanks go out to St Matthew Parishioners Karen Delvecchio and Terri Sargent for donated handmade winters hats and scarves.
"We are so grateful to the Knights of Columbus for providing these brand-new coats for our clients in need. Nobody should have to be cold over the winter, and we are fortunate to have partners like the Knights to ensure families are warm throughout the year." -Robert F. Cashel, President & CEO of Family & Children's Agency
Local participating councils-
Msgr Thomas J Finn Council #46-Norwalk
Father John Stapleton Council #2287-New Canaan
Church of the Assumption Council #3688-Westoport
Rev James J McGuane Council # 4460-Darien
Our Lady of Fatima Council #12698-Wilton
St Matthew Council #14360-Norwalk
Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 4th Degree
About the K of C Coats for Kids Program
The goal of the Coats for Kids program is to ensure that children in need across North America have a warm, winter coat. Launched in 2009, the K of C Coats for Kids program, through the efforts of Knights of Columbus councils in the United States and Canada, has provided more than 800,000 new coats to children in need.
About the Knights of Columbus
In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, then a young parish priest in New Haven, Conn., founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of an immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into one of the world’s leading international charitable organizations, with 2 million members in more than 16,000 local councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 47 million service hours and $150 million for worthy causes in their communities. The Knights of Columbus also offers extensive life insurance products to members and their families and currently has more than $116 billion of life insurance policies in force. In addition, the Knights provides investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which holds $30 billion in assets under management. Based on the founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Order remains committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes and to practicing faith in action through service to all in need. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, please visit kofc.org/join.
About the Family & Children's Agency
Family & Children’s Agency is a leading non-profit human services organization with programs for community members of all ages, including behavioral and mental health, addiction recovery services, after-school programs, parenting education, homeless services, family counseling, specialized foster care, home care for older adults, and more. www.FamilyandChildrensAgency.org
