International Council Activity Awards

Top Finishers  • 2nd – Council 5759, Oklahoma City, OK  • 3rd – Council 3779, Shreveport, LA  • 4th – Council 1256, Victoria, BC  • 5th – Council 4265, Caviite City, Luzon

First Place
Archbishop James V. Casey
Council 9349
Littleton, Colorado
Nick Patrick Fundraiser Dinner Dance

In June 2006, Nick Patrick was struck by a hit-and-run driver and left for dead in the middle of the street. Patrick, who uses a wheelchair due to Multiple Sclerosis, had severe injuries and was in a coma for a time. Facing a difficult rehabilitation and road to recovery, Patrick also faced mounting medical expenses. It was then that his brother Knights of Archbishop James V. Casey Council 9349 in Littleton, Colorado, came to his aid.

The Knights held a benefit dinner/dance to help set up a trust fund in his name to cover medical costs. More than 20 Knights helped the committee in ticket sales, publicity and setting up the trust fund. The event was heavily advertised via the church bulletin, posters, ticket sales after Masses, e-mails to council members, letters and phone calls to other organizations where Patrick had contacts. A band was hired for the event and Knights purchased and prepared food. The local newspapers also ran articles regarding the accident and the Knights plan to help their brother.

The event was a huge success due to these preparations and the 100 council members who put in 200 volunteer hours on the project. After expenses, the fund-raiser brought in $9,157, thanks to more than 140 paying guests who attended.

Second Place: Bishop Reed Capital Hill Council 5759
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Assist a Brother Knight

When Charlie Burton, a charter member of Bishop Reed Capital Hill Council 5759, was diagnosed with a lung problem, he was told not to exert himself or climb stairs. His home, unfortunately, had high steps at its entryway. To solve this problem, Knights of Council 5759 built a wheelchair ramp from his front door to his driveway. The Knights assembled and installed the ramp at a cost of $1,000. Twenty members (25 percent of the council’s membership) spent 400 volunteer hours on the project, including purchasing materials, bolting the ramp to the porch, cutting in the 30 foot ramp and pouring a concrete slab to support the walker.

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Third Place: Marian Council 3779
Shreveport, Louisiana
Matt Cross Benefit Fundraiser

When 24-year-old council member Matt Cross was killed in an auto accident, his fellow Knights from Marian Council 3779 went to work raising funds for their deceased brother’s pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter. The council held a chicken charbroil, their specialty, and cooked more than 800 chicken halves. A local grocery store let the Knights hold the event in their parking lot and sell plates to the public. The event raised $4,500 for the widow and her family. Fifteen members of the council (9 percent of the membership) put in 150 volunteer hours on the project.

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Fourth Place: Victoria Council 1256
Victoria, British Columbia
Centennial Anniversary Celebration

In celebration of their 100th anniversary, Victoria Council 1256 raised $5,000 for the Mount St. Mary Hospital Foundation, held a barbecue, a banquet and a pancake breakfast, and sponsored a Mass. Fifty-five members (40 percent of the council) put in 1,492 hours on the three events held during a busy weekend in July.

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Fifth Place: Stella Maris Council 4265
Caviite City, Luzon
New Council Project

To support a local parish and a technology park complex, Stella Maris Council 4265 helped establish a new council. The council recruited prospects, constructed a council hall, set up an admission committee, held a First Degree, organized the election of officers, and sponsored a first council Mass followed by a dinner. Forty three Knights (30 percent of the council members) put in 8,758 volunteer hours on this project.

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