Charity is the first and foremost principle of the Order

Brother Knights,

Charity is the first and foremost principle of the Order. Our Bishops need us to meet and exceed our State Charity goals! 70% of the funds you send to the State Office go directly back to the Bishop in each Diocese for their charity of choice. Once the Diocese exceeds 100% of goal then 100% of the additional funds go back to the Bishop! We have had questions on some of the things that State Council Charities covers with the 30% retained for State Charities as follows:

• Special Olympics
• Disaster Relief
• College Catholic Centers
• Scholarships & Grants
• Front Line Faith (MP3’s for Military Personnel listening of Catholic Faith)
• Habitat for Humanity
• Catholic Archives
• Other requests are brought to the Board and determined if assistance is warranted.

State Charities and State per Capita assessment were mailed out to the Financial Secretaries at the end of July, 2023. We are asking that you PLAN your budgets to include the full amount to be paid before December! Councils will earn the Quick Start Award for this!

The American Wheelchair Foundation is the First Lady’s charity of choice! Each wheelchair you purchase for $150 positively affects up to 10 other family members. Plan your Wheelchair Sunday Drives and / or collect donations from your members! Contact Bill Weber at 214-405-8023 or refer to the Star Guide posted on the Texas State Website (www.tkofc.org)

Do you have your Knights of Columbus License Plate yet? For a mere $30 extra per year you can proudly display your Texas ‘K of C’ License Plate which contains the words “One Nation Under God”. $22 of these funds come back to the state to help Retired Priests in each Diocese! If you already have one, then purchase one for your wife and children as well! Contact Kirby Farek at 361-772-0054. Any Texas DMV can process this specialty plate for you! See the Texas State Website for more details (www.tkofc.org)

Do you have a retiring Priest or another dignitary your council wishes to recognize? Why not honor them as a Cardinal Medeiros Fellow for $1000? They would be presented a distinguished plaque. The interest from this Trust funds the educational grants for our Catholic youth in Texas. Call Joe Rodriguez at 210-464-8468 or visit the Texas State Website for more details (www.tkofc.org)

Special Olympics in an integral charity for Texas Knights. There are many local events for councils to participate with. Contact Special Olympics Chairman Chris Hoefer at 903-736-5309 for more details!

Reed Fontenot

State Charities Director

501-920-0102

Reed.fontenot@att.net