Oakland Council 1771 distributed more than 140 coats to needy children through the Order's Coats for Kids program.

For the past 29 years, Notre Dame Council 2901 in Baltimore has assembled food baskets for needy families at Christmas. With $4,500 supplied by members, their families and the council's charitable fund, the council made 125 baskets that included nonperishable items and local produce.

Father Maurice J. Wolfe Council 11372 in Abingdon hosted a benefit dinner meeting that raised $2,500 for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.

For more than 30 years, Somerville Council 1432 has distributed 80-pound baskets to needy families just before Christmas. Knights collect the names of families in need from local parishes and organizations. The council then uses its charitable fund to purchase food that members divide into individual baskets.

For more than 20 years, Benedict XV Council 2355 in Cliffside Park has hosted an annual Christmas toy drive to benefit children at the University Hospital in Newark.

Nativity Council 2976 in Laurel Springs hosted a drive at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church that collected 586 pairs of used eyeglasses for New Eyes for the Needy. The council also donated $1,500 each to two seminarians from funds collected from parishioners.

Msgr. Joseph F. Loreti Council 3240 in Roselle Park sold "Keep Christ in Christmas" items to fund a "Keep Christ in Christmas" billboard for the duration of the holiday season.

St. Joseph Council 3402 in Keyport and its ladies' auxiliary co-sponsored a charity barbecue to benefit breast cancer awareness and research groups. The event raised $8,000, which was divided among four recipients. The council also hosted two benefit breakfasts and a spaghetti dinner and sold 150 Christmas trees to help residents of Union Beach who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. The events raised $6,135 for the town's disaster relief fund.

St. Joseph the Carpenter Council 3946 in Roselle hosted a Christmas dinner for approximately 75 people from Union County. Knights and their families served turkey, side dishes and desserts at the event, which also included door prizes.

St. Francis of Assisi Council 4524 in East Rutherford raised $2,820 for the Felician School for Exceptional Children during the council's annual fund drive for people with intellectual disabilities.

South Plainfield Council 6203 held its annual breakfast with Santa for the children of council members and the community. Knights served eggs, bacon and French toast to those in attendance. The council also held its annual Christmas party for people with intellectual disabilities. More than 80 residents from Keystone Community attended the event.

Father John P. Wessel Council 6530 in Marlton held its annual "Roses for Life" sale at St. Joan of Arc Church. Knights sold roses following all Masses on Jan. 19-20, netting $1,352 for First Way of Burlington County.

Don Bosco Council 7784 in Newton hosted two events to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation's "Keep Dad in the Game" campaign. Knights hosted a two-day fundraiser at an area restaurant as well as a family bowling night at Sparta Lanes. Both events generated more than $1,200.

At the request of their pastor, members of St. Barnabas Council 8603 in Bayville served as ushers at Midnight Mass on Christmas wearing tuxedos and white gloves.

St. Catherine of Siena Council 15217 in Pittstown assisted council member David Juchniewicz with a project to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. With the help of the council, Juchniewicz was able to enlist more than 100 people to pledge money for each mile that he swam throughout 2012. In total, Juchniewicz swam 750 miles and raised $6,290 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

The New York State Council acquired from the Archdiocese of Chicago 235 "Buckets of Hope" for distribution to families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Each five-gallon bucket contained a number of cleaning supplies. To view a video on the project, click here.

The Knights of Columbus Long Island Chapter, which includes all councils in Brooklyn and Queens, approved a $30,000 donation to be distributed to members affected by Hurricane Sandy.

John Paul II Assembly in Fishkill prepared and served a Christmas ziti lunch for veterans at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System campus at Castle Point. In addition, Knights visit with veterans at the facility each month.

Father Joseph O'Connell Council 3481 in Oceanside donated 85 jackets to needy children at Holy Redeemer Church through the Order's Coats for Kids program.

Our Lady of the Rosary Council 4428 in Deer Park hosted a "Light Up for Christ" ceremony Dec. 4, 2012. As is the council's tradition, Knights presented a number of charitable donations at the event, including $4,400 to groups at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church and $6,000 to outside charities.

Clason Point Council 6218 in the Bronx, with assistance from Bronx Circle 5460, hosted a blood drive Dec. 9, 2012. The event netted 58 pints of blood. Knights and Squires also volunteered to create food packages at Part of the Solution, a community service organization that provides assistance to the needy.

Father Patrick J. Healy Assembly in Du Bois provided an honor guard for Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of Erie when he celebrated Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Church in honor of the parish's 100th anniversary.

Our Lady of Lourdes Council 4500 in Marple presented a red rose, a rosary and a certificate of appreciation to each of the 42 babies who were baptized at the council's parish in 2012.

At the request of member Robert G. Winter, St. Martin de Porres Council 4738 in Jersey Shore collected food, clothing and household items for donation to St. Thomas Parish in Gassaway, W.V. Knights collected just under two tons of goods, which will help disadvantaged residents of West Virginia's Clay County. Winter attended school in the area in 1960s and had previously participated in mission work trips there.

St. Patrick Cathedral Council 11008 and Father Vincent R. Capodanno Assembly, both in Harrisburg, collected and delivered 1,600 comfort items for veterans at the Lebanon VA Medical Center. Knights collected toiletries, puzzles, magazines and stamps for veterans receiving treatment at the facility.

Mary, Queen of Angels Council 12384 in Philadelphia hosted a Christmas food drive to benefit Aid for Friends, an outreach center that provides free meals and visits to the elderly and homebound.