St. John the Baptist Council 9167 in Johnsburg raised $2,085 for the Special Department of Education of McHenry County during the council's annual fund drive for people with intellectual disabilities. The council also donated funds to the tuition assistance fund at St. John the Baptist School and hosted a blood drive with Heartland Blood Center that netted 120 units of blood.

St. Andrew Council 11874 in Rock Falls hosted its annual father-daughter "Sweethearts Dance" Feb. 10. Fathers and their "dates" enjoyed an evening of dancing, crafts, desserts and refreshments.

At the request of St. John the Evangelist Church, Mary's Millennium Council 12801 in Streamwood hosted a fish fry at the church each Friday during Lent. The fish frys encouraged more parishioners to stay for the weekly Stations of the Cross.

Michael Ryba of Holy Spirit Council 15037 in Naperville has his head shaved at a St. Baldrick's event co-hosted by the council and the Plainfield Fire Protection District. More than 20 Knights and their families organized the event, which featured raffle prizes donated by a number of area businesses and raised nearly $25,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. In addition, several council members had their heads shaved to raise awareness of pediatric cancer.

St. Benedict Cathedral Council 7544 in Evansville worked with students at St. Benedict School to create Valentine's Day care packages for children served by Gibault. Each package contained a Valentine's Day card handmade by the students, as well as candy and gifts provided by the Knights.

Father Goentges Council 1987 in Lapeer hosted a "Heat Up Lapeer" Polish dinner that raised nearly $4,800 to help families who were struggling to pay their winter heating bills.

Gilmour Council 310 in Cleveland awarded $500 tuition grants to seven elementary school students at three area parishes.

Squires throughout the state attended a Lenten retreat March 10-11 at St. Luke Church in Danville that also featured one of the Order's traveling icons of Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Luke Council 910 in Danville sponsored the visit and hosted a pancake breakfast following the retreat's Sunday Mass.

On Feb. 19, Our Lady of Victory Council 5613 in Tallmadge hosted its annual pancake breakfast, which saw approximately 125 people in attendance and which raised $300 for religious education materials.

Jerry Lauby of Father Mathias Zerfas Council 664 in Fond du Lac uses a sander to prepare wooden shelves while renovating a thrift store operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Knights and other members of the community volunteered 5,000 hours to renovate the store in preparation for reopening.

Over the past few years, Msgr. Stanley B. Witkowiak Council 697 in Sturtevant has raised $12,000 for the family of Heracilo "José" Torres, a local man who was nearly beaten to death during a car theft. After hearing about the plight of Torres, his wife and their two young children, Knights authorized a donation to assist with their immediate needs. The council also secured a grant for the family through the state charity fund, held special collections at area parishes and worked with a rehabilitation center to secure therapy for Torres, despite his family not having health insurance.

Bishop Leo J. Brust Council 3702 in Brookfield contributed funds through the Knights of Columbus Ultrasound Initiative to purchase a new ultrasound machine for the Women's Support Center in Milwaukee.

Members of Father Hugh Deeny Council 7342 in Prescott volunteered as servers during a sweethearts dinner-dance co-hosted by St. Joseph Church, Joy Lutheran Church and the Prescott LIFE Organization Feb. 17. The wives of council members offered additional assistance by providing childcare for attendees.