Immaculate Conception Shrine Council 4944 in Washington, D.C., raised $1,000 for the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute during the council's annual fund drive for people with disabilities. The state council supplemented this donation with an additional $2,000 for the organization, which provides services to people with intellectual disabilities.

Westminster Council 1393 presented rosaries to the confirmation class at St. John Church. Knights presented rosaries to 200 religious education students during a retreat and led the students in one decade of the rosary. The council also donated the proceeds from its monthly breakfast to a parishioner whose family is facing high medical expenses because of an illness.

Through the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative, Regina Coeli Council 2274 in Easton raised nearly $25,000 to purchase a new ultrasound machine for the Easton Choices Pregnancy Center. More than 75 people attended the presentation ceremony.

Montgomery Council 2323 in Derwood hosted a spaghetti dinner that raised $1,732 to support a medical mission to Haiti undertaken by parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Members of Bishop Griffin Assembly in Mercer County look on as young men place roses in front of one of the Order's traveling icons of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Catholic Men for Jesus Christ conference. Knights brought the icon to the conference, where it was available for veneration by the approximately 700 people who attended the event.

South Plainfield Council 6203 hosted its annual Keystone Lunch at Holy Savior Academy March 10th. Every month, Sacred Heart Church holds a special Mass for people with intellectual disabilities from the Keystone Community, as well as other organization in Middlesex County that support people with special needs. Knights served lunch following Mass, something they have done annually for 30 years.

East Hanover Council 6504 held its annual St. Patrick's Day dinner-dance at St. Rose of Lima Church. The night included food and refreshments, as well as Irish music and a raffle.

With assistance from the students at Hoboken Catholic Academy, Mary Immaculate Council 12769 in Secaucus raised more than $5,300 during the council's annual pro-life baby bottle drive. Contributions also came from the community and from parishioners at Immaculate Conception Church. All proceeds are donated to pregnancy resource centers.

The councils in New York District #8 hosted a fundraiser that netted $5,261 for A Mother's Kiss, an organization that aids families affected by childhood cancer.

To help Catholics learn more about their faith, Saratoga Council 246 provides copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to parishioners at three area churches and two missions. Knights place several copies of the book at every church for parishioners to take for a goodwill donation. All funds collected from the "sale" of the books are donated back to their respective parishes.

Father John M. Grady Council 503 in Port Chester hosted its annual Scout Sunday Mass and breakfast March 11 at Our Lady of Mercy Church for area Boy Scouts and their families.

On March 17, St. Anastasia Council 5911 in Little Neck hosted its annual St. Patrick's Day/St. Joseph's Day event, featuring Irish music and a dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Proceeds from the event were donated to Calvary Hospital in Brooklyn.

Our Lady of Fatima Council 14961 in Delanson celebrated Shrove Tuesday with an educational session on the origins of the tradition and an opportunity for parishioners to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. The service was followed by a council-sponsored pancake dinner.

Holy Rosary Council 869 in Harrisburg provided support for an indoor flea market/bake sale fundraiser at its hall to benefit Collin Kratzer, a 3-year-old boy who is battling brain cancer. Knights donated use of their hall, assisted with set up, made copies of promotional materials and even provided some sale items for the event. The fundraiser netted $2,208 to assist with expenses associated with Kratzer's treatment.

During the weekends of Feb. 11-12 and 18-19, Father Francis J. Hertzog Council 1381 in New Kensington and Leechburg Council 6715 offered parishioners at their respective parishes information on contacting their elected officials in response to the U.S. Health and Human Services contraception mandate. The council provided a letter that parishioners could send on their own or that the council would send on their behalf. Together, the two councils collected approximately 400 letters.

Our Lady of Fatima Council 4644 in Huntingdon maintains a huge lighted cross on a mountain overlooking the surrounding communities that is kept lighted throughout the seasons of Lent and Advent.

Msgr. John Auchter Council 10772 in Albrightsville and its ladies' auxiliary renovated a new facility purchased by Mary's Shelter, an organization that operates shelters for unwed mothers in Lehigh Valley. Knights cleaned and painted the common areas of the new shelter, which is located in a former convent, while their wives adopted a bedroom to paint, decorate and furnish.

Father Charles R. Slough Council 14161 in Elysburg completed three renovation projects at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church. Knights painted the exterior of a building that houses the parish chapel, offices and K of C meeting space. Members also finished a handicapped-accessible addition to the building and painted the trim on the parish rectory. Separately, the council prepared seven care packages for the son of a parishioner who is serving in the Persian Gulf with the U.S. Navy. The packages included food, candy and toiletries for the navy man and his fellow platoon members.