Knights of Columbus offer winter coats for school children December 14, 2023By Adriana Montes Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Knights of Columbus, Local News, News, Our Faith in Action En Español Archbishop William E. Lori and members of the Knights of Columbus distributed new winter coats Dec. 11 at Archbishop Borders School, delivering the gift of warmth to the children of Baltimore just in time for the coldest months of the year. John Winfrey with the Maryland State Council Knights of Columbus helps an Archbishop Borders School student with a new winter jacket during the organization’s annual Coats for Kids outreach December 11, 2023, in Highlandtown. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) Since 2009, the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program has provided warm winter coats to children in need living in cold climates in the United States, Canada and overseas. Principal Amy Bells Belz emphasized the significance as many students lacked winter coats, especially during the Christmas season, “A number of them come from countries where they don’t need coats, so it’s the first time they’ve experienced winter.” The scale of the initiative was significant, with approximately 232 children benefiting from this act of generosity. Belz noted that even the teachers made sure to take a coat for absentees, underscoring the collective effort to ensure that no child was left without the essential warmth provided by a winter coat. In a departure from previous years where used coats were donated, this time, each child received a new coat tailored to fit him or her. Reflecting on the initiative, Bells said, “It makes me feel very warm inside to know that there’s so much generosity, and most importantly that my children are taken care of.” Students at Archbishop Borders School in Highlandtown enjoy their new winter jackets provided by the Maryland State Council Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids annual outreach Dec. 11, 2023. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) Rick Casazza, chairman of the Knights of Columbus council for Maryland, noted that this marked his first year participating in this charitable campaign. Additionally, the Knights hosted two events, distributing a total of 1,000 coats among three organizations. Casazza clarified that the Knights of Columbus directly acquired clothing from Knights Gear to support these initiatives. Casazza underlined the rewarding aspect of helping those in need. Charity serves as a fundamental principle for the Knights, and Casazza remarked, “Observing these kids receiving those coats, particularly with the awareness of the cold weather, assures that they will certainly be put to good use.” While there are currently no plans for additional donations this year, Casazza hinted at the likelihood of future events next year, underlining the organization’s commitment to charitable work and assisting those in need. Email Adriana Montes at amontes@catholicreview.org Read More Local News Father Mark Logue, who transformed two parishes and touched many lives, dies at 78 Sister Joan Bastress, I.H.M., served in multiple ministries in Archdiocese of Baltimore Sister Patricia Anne Bossle, D.C., former president of Seton Keough High School, dies at 86 Archbishop Lori launches podcast on renewing civic life and the political culture Major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque attract throngs of faithful to the Baltimore Basilica Radio Interview: Catholicism, religious freedom and the early United States Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media Print
