Masconomo Council 1232 Local Philanthropy

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Of the three founding principles of the Knights of Columbus- Charity, Fraternity and Unity, charity is first as the Order was founded as a charitable organization to care for those in need – immigrants, widows and orphans and those in need of a helping hand. In our day it may include those challenged by food insecurity, lack of adequate health care and the stress of rising inflation.

Every year Masconomo Council 1232 has two major fund raisers. The first ended early in June. Its purpose was obvious. Every year money raised funds The Father Jack Gentleman Memorial Scholarship program for graduating seniors. This year we awarded fourteen $500 scholarships. Over the past 17 years, the Council has fundraised and awarded a total of 101 scholarships to recognize the accomplishments of our graduates.

The other fundraiser is the council’s Annual Fall Fundraiser, which begins in the summer. It is a familiar activity centered around a raffle whose prizes are donations of cash, and gift certificates for hotels, restaurants and Cape Ann area businesses. For more than ten years, the Annual Fall Fundraiser has been the council’s major means of raising revenue.

It’s natural to ask where does the money go. Now is the perfect time ask. May ended our 2021-2022 fraternal year. A new year begins in June

So here is our accounting of funds spent in support of our charitable mission:

  • Every year Council 1232 helps support two parishes and three churches- Visitation Parish-Sacred Heart, Manchester by the Sea and St John the Baptist, Essex, and St Paul’s, Hamilton. This year we also sponsored a seminarian studying for the priesthood at St John’s Seminary.
  • Contributions were made to the Councils on Aging for the towns of Essex, Hamilton and Manchester by the Sea
  • We donated manpower and funds in support of the Beverly Community Supper
  • We supported The Open Door Food Pantry with a $500 donation and our ongoing 24/7 food drive
  • Likewise, we supported the excellent work of Beverly Boot Straps Resource Center and Food Pantry with a $500 donation
  • The outstanding work of Meals on Wheels, Senior Care, Gloucester was recognized with a donation of $500
  • We donated $250 for those who received the compassionate hospice care of Care Dimensions, Kaplan House
  • In memory of all individuals and families valiantly confronting the ravages of Alzheimers Disease, the Council donated $500 to the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts
  • The North Shore Veterans’ Council of Beverly received a donation of $500 to veterans’ transition assistance programs
  • A $500 donation was sent to the Hooper Fund, Manchester by-the Sea supporting its efforts
  • Masconomo Council 1232 paid for a CAMPS, Christ As My Personal Savior, summer camper’s tuition of $561
  • $500 supporting Northeast ARC, a program for the developmentally disabled.
  • Supported Bishop Fenwick High School Sports—Golf Tourney
  • Fund raised and gave $500 scholarships to 14 high school graduates (101 scholarships in 17 years)
  • Donated to Hurricane and Tornado relief funds established by national KofC
  • Manpower donated to build Specialty Shed for Sale. Funds raised to aid Christians at Risk and Persecuted in the Middle East (50% of 2022 proceeds to Ukraine refugees)
  • Funds raised directly aided Ukraine refugees in crisis via KofC website (more than $4,000 raised) and sales of ribbons and wrist bands (goal of $1,000 raised)
  • Funds locally raised in October Tootsie Roll drive benefitted special needs children
  • Collected 300 winter coats and donated locally to the needy of Cape Ann
  • Collected 1,000 pairs of socks donated to local homeless shelters
  • Funds raised, $3,500 seed money, enabled an area pregnancy resource center to purchase a needed ultrasound system that allowed mothers to see their developing babies in the womb
  • And finally, Masconomo Council 1232 voted unanimously to donate $500 to our sister parish Sacred Heart church, Uvalde, Texas for its pastor to use in whatever way he feels will promote healing in a community whose heart is broken.

Grand Knight Phil Monahan observed “So there you have it. Council 1232 raises funds to support worthwhile causes near and far. We get to give.
“We thank you in advance for your support in the year ahead.”