International Family Activity Awards

Top Finishers  • 2nd – Council 8500, Highland, MI  • 3rd – Council 11990, Quezon City, Luzon  • 4th – Council 8548, Brazoria, TX  • 5th – Council 7557, Broussard, LA

First Place
St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Council 13294
Woodstock, Maryland
Benefit Bull and Oyster Roast

When a child is born with a serious medical condition, it will impact his entire immediate family, as well as his extended family. In the case of baby Andrew Morrissey, the grandson of the pastoral director of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Council 13294 in Woodstock, Maryland, this extended family came in the form of 42 Knights who were eager to help out.

In March 2006, baby Andrew was born with little or no kidney or liver function and required extensive transplant surgery in a Pittsburgh hospital. This long, drawn-out medical crisis placed an enormous spiritual, emotional and financial burden upon the family. They even had to maintain two residences during a four month span in late 2007 when the child received a liver from his father and a kidney from his grandmother.

In November, Knights held their benefit bull and oyster roast with the proceeds to go the Morrissey family. The benefit, conceived in August, required more than 500 volunteer hours, but that effort paid off when the catered event raised $7,800 for the family. More than 60 percent of the council was involved in the preparation and successful initiation of the raffle and celebration.

Second Place: Father John Howard Council 8500
Highland, Michigan
Assisting the Fortunato Family

In February, Father John Howard Council 8500 held a fundraiser to benefit Kathy Fortunato, the daughter of Past Grand Angelo Lamia, and her family after the death of her husband following a lengthy battle with cancer. Kathy was facing the burden of her husband’s medical costs, plus the financial difficulty of raising their four children when the Knights got involved with their dinner/dance fundraiser. Sixty Knights, more than 25 percent of the council, were involved in cooking, decorating, serving, cleaning up, organizing raffle prizes and soliciting donations from community vendors. The event sold out to 200 attendees, and, in total, the event raised $10,400 to benefit the Fortunato family.

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Third Place: Christ the King De Filinvest II Council 11990
Quezon City, Luzon
Let Me Say “I Love You” the KC 11990 Way

The purpose of Christ the King De Filinvest II Council 11990’s family oriented program was fourfold: to honor the sanctity of marriage though a public renewal of vows; to strengthen family ties; to set an example for the parish community by living their faith; and to set a good example for the Columbian Squires present. Nearly 100 percent of their council participated (69 Knights) in the public renewal of marriage vows after Sunday Mass. Squires presented each female in the parish with a rose. Following the ceremony, which was a surprise to the Knights’ wives, a family feast prepared by the Knights was served.

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Fourth Place: West Brazos Council 8548
Brazoria, Texas
Countywide Family Picnic

Knights of West Brazos Council 8548 organized a countywide family picnic that was held at their council hall in celebration of Family Day. The council played host to all six councils in District 61, which included more than 500 participants. The event featured games and entertainment for children, food and booths, including a drug prevention booth and a K of C information booth. The council hopes this becomes an annual district tradition.

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Fifth Place: Sacred Heart Council 7557
Broussard, Louisiana
Christmas Social

When Council 7557 held its annual Christmas social, more than 100 Knights and their families, nearly 90 percent of their council, attended. The attendees pray the Rosary before their meal, which is prepared by Knights and the Ladies Auxiliary. Following their banquet, Santa Claus joins the festivities to give out candy to the children and take pictures with the families.

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