• Community Activities
• Coats for Kids
• Global Wheelchair Mission
• Serving Those Who Served
• Habitat For Humanity
• Food for Families
• Special Olympics
• Promoting Decency
• World Day of Prayer for Peace
• Get Out the Vote

Special Olympics

Over the past 40 years, the Knights of Columbus has raised and donated more than $382 million to programs for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Among the larger gifts of time and money the Order makes annually is to Special Olympics and other programs for people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

In 2005, the Knights of Columbus announced a partnership with Special Olympics. It committed $1 million over the next four years to grow the programs of Special Olympics in North America and pledged more volunteers for state and local games. The Order will also work with Special Olympics North America to expand its programs to countries currently underserved by it.

This partnership includes a direct investment in the growth of Special Olympics Mexico. At the Mexico Knights’ centennial convention in April, 2005, a $50,000 grant from the Knights of Columbus was given to Special Olympics officials and athletes.

The grant is earmarked for uniforms, sports equipment and to cover some of the costs of organizing games. Knights are working with Special Olympics to establish similar programs in other jurisdictions of the Order in the Caribbean and the Philippines.

The Knights’commitment to Special Olympics and to hundreds of grassroots programs for people with intellectual and physical disabilities is an expression of its belief in the intrinsic worth of every human being.

In April, 2005, the Order gave its highest honor, the Gaudium et Spes Award, to Jean Vanier, the founder of l’Arche, a network of faith-based communities that care for people with developmental disabilities in a community setting.

Jean Vanier founded the first l’Arche community in Toronto in 1969, and today there are 26 communities throughout Canada, serving nearly 500 people with disabilities. It has also expanded around the world, and there are now more than 120 l’Arche communities in 30 countries on six continents. Jean exemplifies the call to self-giving and Christ-centered community involvement that is a central theme in Gaudium et Spes, and his life and dedication are an inspiration to all.

As part of our ongoing goal to provide financial, spiritual, and emotional support to those less fortunate, the Knights of Columbus have been a strong supporter of the Special Olympics for more than a decade. In fact, in 2005, and Knights pledged a $1 million gift to the Special Olympics for new uniforms, equipment, and events. Our goal was to help the games not only become stronger, but to spread to new countries and communities so that more people could benefit from their positive, uplifting example.

The Knights of Columbus believe that the Special Olympics are nearly unparalleled in their ability to show the intrinsic worth and dignity of every single human being. These games don't just build strength and character and the athletes and participants; it only takes a few moments with the competitors to be inspired by the force of their determination, and the true sense of God's love.

Although the Special Olympics have grown in recent years, they still need our continued support. We encourage chapters and parishes around the world to organize fundraisers, events, and donation drives that will continue to benefit this magnificent event. The Special Olympics are too wonderful to overlook, and the Knights of Columbus are committed to bringing the games to all corners of the globe.