The Knights of Columbus councils in the Archdiocese of Miami and those located throughout Florida are exploring ways to assist the area affected by Hurricane Ian.
Helping Hands
In an article from the Archdiocese of Miami, the Knights of Columbus Disaster Relief Fund has provided financial assistance through their national headquarters.
It is reportedly an addition to the work of the Florida State Council and individual parish councils.
Robert S. Urrutia, Orlando-based state deputy of the Florida State Council for the Knights, said they have been coordinating with the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice.
Catholic Charities has reportedly brought tractor truckloads of goods from as far away as Chicago.
“There are 16 very active councils sending guys down from Ocala, Orlando, Palm Beach, and Weston,” he added.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the Knights of Columbus have reportedly organized weekend barbeque cookouts and supply distributions in hard-hit parishes close to Arcadia, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Venice.
In addition, they have distributed emergency roofing tarps and $100 gift certificates to households in need.
Just a few days after the disaster, members of the St. Katharine Drexel Council 14212 in Weston drove goods and volunteers to Fort Myers to assist with the recovery efforts.
According to the news site of the Knights of Columbus, on Oct. 2, they filled a van with food, water, and other supplies. They also drove for two hours across the state and then received permission to set up a distribution tent at a closed gas station on a busy road.
They then started handing out everything that they had.
A month after Hurricane Ian landed on Sept. 28, Urrutia said he planned to have another phone call with the Diocese of Venice authorities on Oct. 25.
The purpose of this call was to acquire an updated report on the needs there. Hurricanes have been a threat to Florida since 1935.
The recent category-four storm was reportedly called the deadliest and one of the costliest in terms of the material damage it caused.
About Knights of Columbus
Based on its website, the Knights of Columbus are giving Catholic men the tools they need to live out their faith in all aspects of their lives, including their church, community, home, and work.
The Knights of Service and Charity are dedicated to helping those in need.
As reported, the Knights started as a little service organization. Still, they have expanded into a worldwide financial and humanitarian organization to help families who have lost a breadwinner, immigrants, and refugees.
Their original mission was to satisfy the needs of these groups of people.
On Feb. 6, 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney established the Knights of Columbus to carry out charitable work.
He was reportedly 29 years old at the time and the assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, collected a group of men at his parish he saw a need in his community.
He recommended the establishment of a lay group to unite Catholic men. He also assisted the families of deceased members and prevented Catholic men from joining secret societies that opposed the teachings of the Church.
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