Michael Boyd of Brother Vincent Council 7517 in Smyrna was ordained to the permanent diaconate Oct. 24. The council presented Boyd with a certificate of appreciation and a stole following his first Sunday Mass. Council members also replaced all the pads on the kneelers at St. Polycarp Church.

Eli Krause of St. Polycarp Circle 5248 in Smyrna collects a donation from a parishioner after Mass Nov. 14-15 at St. Polycarp Church. The Squires were raising funds to offset the cost of their annual trip to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Father Andrew White Assembly in Ridge visited residents at the Charlotte Hall Veteran's Home while the assembly's ladies' auxiliary distributed more than 80 handmade blankets to patients.

Members of St. John Francis Regis Council 7914 in Hollywood help Peter Widmayer launch a water balloon at the St. John Francis Regis Church annual parish picnic. In addition to attending the event, Knights provided food for attendees and assisted with some of the outdoor games.

With assistance from the Global Wheelchair Mission, the New Jersey State Council donated 20 new wheelchairs to the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland. The chairs will be used to transport patients to and from appointments.

Mother Seton Council 5427 in Washington Township hosted a buffet that raised $3,700 for Several Sources Shelters. Since 1981, Several Sources has assisted young women in crisis pregnancies, providing them with a home during their pregnancy and for a year after their children are born.

Tabernacle Council 8733 adopted a stretch of road in its community. Knights remove trash, debris and liter from the road several times each year.

Mary Immaculate Council 12769 in Secaucus worked with the Alzheimer's Association of Greater New Jersey to host the Memory Walk at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. More than 800 people participated in the event, and Knights raised $1,100 for Alzheimer's research. Knights also held a fund drive for Alzheimer's research that netted an additional $1,200 for the organization.

Members of St. Leonidas Council 5177 in Sparta stand in front of the Statue of Liberty during the 2009 New Jersey Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk. By participating in the walk, Squires raised more than $1,700 for Alzheimer's research.

When an area Knight was killed in a car accident and his two children severely injured, Father John G. Seyfried Council 821 in Kings Park held a spaghetti dinner in support of the surviving family members. The event, coupled with an international auction run by the Kings Park Council of Schools, raised $13,000 for the Knights' family.

St. Frances de Chantal Council 6526 in Wantagh hosted a drive to collect food and funds for the East Farmingdale Food Kitchen, which was damaged in a fire.

Father Jeremiah J. Reilly Council 6561 in Merrick volunteered at the town of Hempstead's Family Festival by the Sea. Knights sold food and beverages at the event over two days, netting more than $4,000 for the council's charitable fund.

Sunrise Council 6607 in Bohemia hosted a baby bottle drive that raised $2,000 for Mercy Center Ministries in Patchogue.

Papa Juan Pablo II Council 14259 in Long Beach/Nassau built a handicapped ramp at St. Mary of the Isle Church in Long Beach.

As part of an ongoing lecture series co-hosted by the council, Mother Marianne Cope Council 14260 at Syracuse University sponsored talks by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Costello of Syracuse and Margaret Susan Thompson, a professor of history at Syracuse University.

San Patricio Council 14279 in Glen Cove hosted a blood drive that netted 120 pints of viable blood.

St. Gregory Council 14687 in Amherst held a pancake breakfast Nov. 1 with assistance from Boy Scout Troop 440, religious education students and pupils from St. Gregory School. Together, volunteers served more than 600 breakfasts.

All Saints Assembly in Johnstown sponsored its 21st annual Columbus Day parade in its community. The parade was held under the theme "Devotion to God and Country" and featured representatives from many area civic groups.

Volunteers help load donated food into a van following a drive sponsored by Cardinal Stritch Council 4649 in Quakertown. Knights collected nearly $1,000 worth of food and $700 in monetary donations for the St. Isidore Food Bank. In addition, the council secured 12 turkeys for the food bank to distribute at Thanksgiving.

Members of Pokrova Council 13561 in Bristol provided food and refreshments for a "Holy-ween" party at their parish. About 60 adults and children dressed in costumes as their favorite saints or holy people to enjoy and evening of food, games and fellowship. The council also celebrated the Eastern Rite ordination of Knight Charles Schultz to the permanent diaconate.