Father Perez Council 1444 in Chicago donated the proceeds from its annual fund drive to several local organizations that aid people with intellectual disabilities. The council also distributed $3,000 in scholarships to three students attending Catholic high schools.

Trenton Council 2932 held a fraternal banquet to celebrate the Order’s 125th anniversary. During the event, the council distributed $11,000 — proceeds from its annual fund drive — to multiple public agencies and charities.

Queen of Peace Council 3954 in Barrington broke ground on a $4.6 million community facility called Columbus Centre. The 6,000-square-foot building will host doctors’ offices on the first floor and community chambers on the second, including a council room. Nonprofit organizations in the area, including the VFW, American Legion and Lions Club, will also have the opportunity to use the building for meetings or community activities.

North American Martyrs Council 4338 in Niles donated $400 to Knight Benny Costes to defray the cost of shipping donations to the Philippines. For the past five years, Costes has shipped used camping supplies to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Dagupan City, and has shipped used clothing for the past two. Council 4338 also provided 500 K of C rosaries to include with one of the shipments.

North American Martyrs Council 4338 in Niles held its annual steak dinner. More than 200 people attended the event, which raised $1,400 for local charities.

St. Isidore’s Council 8522 in Bloomingdale presented Mary Knuth with the council’s annual Father Joseph Siegel Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The award was established 13 years ago to honor Father Siegel, a former council chaplain.

Doug Snyder, president and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois, Former Supreme Secretary Charles H. Foos and Logan Ludwig, Illinois past state deputy and newly elected supreme director, stand beside a statue entitled "The First Ribbon" in Special Olympics Park in Normal. The statue depicts an athlete showing a Special Olympics ribbon to his parents and celebrates the role of family in the Special Olympics movement. Illinois Knights donated funds for the statue.

Thomas A. Brandon Council 451 in Fort Wayne holds a fish fry on the first Friday of each month. The council has raised more than $7,160 during 2007, and funds are used to support the council’s charitable activities.

Helping unveil a state historical marker July 22 in front of the birthplace of Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter in New Albany are (from left): Virginia and Paul Lipps of New Albany; Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; David Hock, chairman of the Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation; and Bishop Robert J. Hermann, auxiliary bishop of St. Louis. Cardinal Ritter Council 1221 in New Albany provided funding to erect the marker. Virginia Lipps is the niece of the late cardinal, who served as archbishop of Indianapolis and later of St. Louis (Mary Ann Wyand/The Criterion, Archdiocese of Indianapolis).

With assistance from Father Stephen T. Badin Council 4263 in Granger, St. Pius X Church has secured financing through the Order’s ChurchLoan program for a new education center. The finished building will provide two classrooms each for grades K-8, a gymnasium, library and food service facilities. Taking part in groundbreaking ceremonies Aug. 26 were Deacon Bob Lengerich; Knight Raj Shah, his wife Sloan and future students Nicolina and Vincente; Grand Knight Joseph Stackowicz; Field Agent Robert Baloun and Father William Schooler, pastor. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2008. For more information about the Order’s ChurchLoan program, click here.

Father Solanus Casey Council 12276 in Fort Wayne was instrumental in securing funding for renovations at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church through the Order’s ChurchLoan program. A sign announcing the Knight’s involvement was placed on church property. For more information about the Order’s ChurchLoan program, click here.

Members of Msgr. Esper Council 3027 in Fowler and volunteers sort through returnable bottles during a bottle drive. More than 50 people redeemed recyclable cans and bottles, which raised $3,190 for local seminarians.

St. Clement’s Council 2844 in McGregor, Ont., and Robert H. Jones Council 3078 in Lincoln Park squared off during their annual softball game. The event began 27 years ago and attracts hundreds of spectators each year.

West Park Council 2790 in Cleveland donated $816 to Welcome House, a residential-based community program for the care and assistance of people with intellectual disabilities.

Durand Council 2422 entered a float in the area Independence Day parade. The float featured a 125th anniversary banner and another banner that read "Defend Life."

Cardinal Albert G. Meyer Council 6646 in Brown Deer awarded $500 each to one student at four Catholic schools in the area. Since 2002, the council has awarded $10,000 in scholarships.