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When a child is sick, there is no limit to which a parent will go to ensure the best treatment possible. Often this comes at a considerable sacrifice to parents and family members, particularly with the needs of travel and lodging.
To assist these families and ease the burden of their expenses Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 3742 in Stephenville, Newfoundland, in collaboration with other local agencies, helped establish the Bay St. George Sick Children’s Foundation in 1996. The council has continued to fund and support the foundation on an annual basis. During the past year, the council’s annual telethon raised a record-breaking $76,083 in pledges – well exceeding the $50,000 goal. A variety show, curling tournament and flea market raised an additional $4,000.
In the past decade, the Bay St. George’s Sick Children’s Foundation has raised more than $320,000 and provided financial assistance to more than 150 families. The local Knights efforts have enabled parents to be with their children while they receive medical care at a distance form their homes. More importantly, children have enjoyed the comfort and care of their families in times of need.
For its dedicated efforts in supporting the welfare of children, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 3742 was awarded the Knights of Columbus International Youth Activity Award at the 124th annual Supreme Council meeting in Orlando, Fla. Aug. 2, 2006. Grand Knight and Mrs. Patrick Merrigan accepted the award, along with Newfoundland and Labrador State Deputy and Mrs. William O’Rielly accepted the award.
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