Knights of Columbus Patriot Dinner Raises $2,000 for House of Heroes Connecticut

NORWALK, Conn. — The Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick 4th Degree Assembly 100 hosted its 8th Annual Patriot Dinner on Saturday, June 27, at St. Matthew Church, raising $2,000 to benefit House of Heroes Connecticut and its mission of serving veterans in need.

The evening began with the 4:00 p.m. Mass, where the Assembly 100 Color Corps served as the Honor Guard. Father Miguel Betancur-Lenis delivered an inspiring homily that emphasized faith, gratitude, and service, setting a meaningful tone for the evening’s celebration.

Following Mass, members of the community gathered for the annual Patriot Dinner, which honors the sacrifices of America’s veterans while supporting House of Heroes Connecticut, a nonprofit organization that provides no-cost home repairs and accessibility improvements for military and public safety veterans and their surviving spouses.

Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and supporters, the event raised $2,000 to help House of Heroes Connecticut continue its mission of making homes safer and more accessible for those who have served. The funds raised will directly support a House of Heroes Connecticut project on July 25, when volunteers from Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 will partner with the organization to complete home repairs for the widow of a veteran in Norwalk.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance, whose talented dancers performed a special patriotic presentation titled “Proud to Be an American.” Their inspiring performance received a standing ovation and added a memorable tribute to the nation’s veterans and active-duty service members, reinforcing the patriotic spirit of the evening.

The evening’s success was made possible by the dedicated Brother Knights of Assembly 100, who coordinated the event’s setup, meal service, and cleanup. The Assembly’s Color Corps also presented the Colors during the dinner program, adding to the patriotic spirit of the event.

Faithful Navigator Scott Criscuolo expressed his appreciation for everyone who helped make the evening a success.

“The Patriot Dinner is one of the highlights of our year because it brings together faith, patriotism, and charity in support of those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” Criscuolo said. “We are grateful for the generosity of everyone who attended and supported this event. The incredible performance by the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance was a wonderful reminder of the pride we all share in honoring our veterans. Every dollar raised will help House of Heroes Connecticut continue making a real difference in the lives of veterans and their families.”

George Ribellino, Past Faithful Navigator of Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 who serves as the Assembly’s Project Chairman and liaison to House of Heroes Connecticut, said the proceeds from the dinner will have an immediate impact.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this partnership is seeing our Brother Knights put our principles of charity and patriotism into action,” Ribellino said. “The funds raised at this year’s Patriot Dinner will go directly toward our July 25 House of Heroes project in Norwalk, where Assembly 100 volunteers will help complete much-needed home repairs for the widow of a veteran. Every dollar raised will help us make a lasting difference for someone who sacrificed alongside her loved one in service to our country.”

The Patriot Dinner continues to strengthen community ties while advancing the shared commitment to honoring and serving those who have worn the nation’s uniform. The Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick 4th Degree Assembly 100 looks forward to hosting its 9th Annual Patriot Dinner next year.

House of Heroes Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and serving military and public safety veterans and their surviving spouses in need. The organization strives to “Make a Difference in a Day” by providing no-cost home repairs focused on safety and accessibility. The Connecticut chapter is part of the national House of Heroes organization, founded in Columbus, Georgia, in 2000. For more information, visit www.hohct.org.

This version reads like a community newspaper feature and highlights the fundraiser, the Irish dance performance, the upcoming Norwalk veterans project, and the Assembly’s partnership with House of Heroes Connecticut.