International Youth Activity Awards

Top Finishers  • 2nd – Council 4898, Long Beach, Miss.  • 3rd – Council 12102, Sterling Heights, Mich.  • 4th – Council 1000, Manila, Luzon

It has been nearly two years since Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, obliterating everything in its path. Slowly but surely communities in the affected areas are rebuilding, but they still have a long way to go.

Responding to the relief effort was Immaculate Conception Council 8951 in Port Perry, Ontario, and 48 Notre Dame High School students.

The council and students planned a 10-day excursion to New Orleans on their spring break to gut houses to make it possible for residents to return and rebuild.

Before the students left for New Orleans, they raised more than $35,000 to be used as relief aid. Upon their arrival in the Lower Ninth Ward, students immediately began gutting houses in preparation for construction crews to begin rebuilding.

Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori, Council 8951 Past Grand Knight and Mrs. Brian Hughes, State Deputy Natale Gallo and his wife Angelina, and Dorian and Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson.

By the time they were finished, students had prepared 11 homes for reconstruction. The money was donated to St. Genevieve Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and Archbishop Hannan Catholic School.

This excursion to New Orleans was not only a life-changing experience for those students who participated, it was also a significant contribution to the relief effort of the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.

Second Place
St. Vincent de Paul Council  4898
Long Beach, Mississippi
School Cafeteria and Kitchen

Hurricane Katrina destroyed the church, rectory, school and parish life center of St. Vincent de Paul Council  4898’s parish in Long Beach, Mississippi.

The council was very successful in contributing to the relief effort by getting these vital parts of the community rebuilt.

While these temporary facilities were able to serve the needs of the people, they lacked, however, some basic elements. This was most apparent in the Catholic school which lacked a kitchen to serve meals to students. St. Vincent De Paul Council remedied this problem.

The council was quickly able to raise the funds to purchase a trailer that would be fitted with all the necessary kitchen equipment. Once the trailer was obtained, local Knights went to work installing items and commercial restaurant equipment as quickly as possible.

Among these items were a gas-heated hot lunch serving line, a milk cooler, a double-door freezer, a dual oven/warmer, a dishwashing system, sinks and shelving. The actual value of the appliances donated exceeded $100,000.

Once the trailer was placed and installed at the school, hot meals were served daily for the students.

Back to Top

Third Place
Msgr. John T. Gordon Council 12102
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Ninth Annual Christmas Shopping Tour

For the 2006 holiday season, Msgr. John T. Gordon Council 12102 wanted to help disadvantaged children give gifts to their families. With the help of the county’s Department of Human Services, the council selected 31 children in the community who were particularly needy.

Invitations were mailed to these children explaining that if given parental permission, Knights of Columbus families would escort them to K-Mart and provide them with a $50.00 gift certificate. This event was very successful and these children were given the opportunity to participate in the spirit of giving.

Back to Top

Fourth Place
 Manila Council 1000
Manila, Luzon
Positive Approach for Troubled Children

To provide a meaningful program of activities aimed at helping children in conflict with the law,  Manila (Luzon) Council 1000 sponsored a project to teach Christian values and practical outdoor skills to young offenders at the facility for boys who have been in trouble with the law.

The program is a combination of the Catholic catechetical instructional programs and the Boy Scouting program. The team of Knights prepared a program plan, and would then visit the training school once a month to work with the young people there on a variety of spiritual, social and related issues.

Back to Top