KNIGHTS IN ACTION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

During this troubling COVID-19 pandemic time as well as during other times, there are many Knights who do the work of unsung and unannounced heroes.Most will never know all the generous acts which these gentlemen do, and honestly, that is what they prefer.

Recent cases in point which can be pinpointed in the Amarillo Diocese area is the weekly and sometimes daily volunteer work performed at the Catholic Charities.Throughout the course of the year, several Knights (and their wives) volunteer weekly, helping to supply and stock the food shelves for homebound and others who may qualify for the CC food distribution.And this has been exacerbated with the increase of those in need, brought on by this pandemic.The volunteer hours have increased two and three-fold if not more.And the bet is that this is occurring all around the United States and beyond.

With the onslaught of this pandemic, there have been several instances where the St. Ann’s Knights of Columbus Council 7840 have been called to act.

On April 9, our Council was informed that the Catholic Charities of Amarillo was in dire need of funds. With the uptick of the COVID-19 warnings and a growing number of newly unemployed people, Catholic Charities was graciously providing not only for their normal clientele but for many of those finding themselves in this newly developing unfortunate situation.By the next day, our Council had unanimously voted to provide Catholic Charities with a $1,000 check and actually had individual donations of more than $400 on top of this, that we know of(there’s always those who donate or help and we are not aware of these additional generous acts.

On Monday, April 27, our Council was informed by one of the brother Knights of a refrigerator issue situation facing a single mother, providing for her family of three young children.The family happens to also be members of the St. Ann’s Parish community.Due to the stay at home orders, this single mother’s occupation has been temporarily put on hold, and since she is self- employed, there is no ongoing income, other than government assistance.Council 7840 became aware of the fact that this family’s refrigerator had stopped working and within 24 hours, individual donations totaling $1,840 were collected from various members of the Council.We were able to buy the family a new refrigerator and fill it with groceries.And we currently have almost $700 left over which has been designated to use for any others who may need financial assistance or otherwise.

On May 4, the Council was again informed of an upcoming situation facing Catholic Charities.The Knights of Columbus Supreme had donated $25,000 to Catholic Charities for the purchase of food items, to be distributed throughout the Amarillo Diocese, as well as the usual caseload of needy.Our Council was able to gather 16 volunteers on May 7 to help with the unloading of two trucks of canned and boxed goods, and the sorting of the various items to be sent to a number of the surrounding Parishes as well as the Catholic Charities needs.In fact, one of our volunteers and fellow Knight who rolled up his sleeves and joined the group was our beloved and greatly respected Father Scott Raef.There were also several of the volunteers who delivered designated goods to the Catholic Student Center (CSC) Buff-A Food Pantry in Canyon.

An upcoming event which will be later this month, is the assistance of a fellow parishioner who suffers from a number of physical ailments, including respiratory problems. We will provide any assistance which may be needed in moving her belongings to the new surroundings.

Finally, there are several of us who are on a parish “emergency” volunteer list to assist any parishioner in need, especially during this troubling time.

Attached to this email is a photo of 3 knights with the $1000 Council check and donated groceries from St. Ann’s parishioners given to Catholic Charities, 3 photos from the Supreme food distribution to Catholic Charites,and 2 showing the refrigerator and food given to the parishioner in need.

St. Ann’s Council 7840, Knights of Columbus Canyon, Texas