Needy Children Receive New Winter Coats in Edmonton
(EDMONTON, ALBERTA) — Knights of Columbus are helping to bring some warmth to children in need in Edmonton during the cold winter months. On Monday, January 10, local Knights distributed approximately 150 new winter coats to underprivileged children without charge at Mother Teresa Catholic School on 105A Avenue.
Monday’s distribution was led by Grand Knight Julian Hnatiw and fellow members of Council 4788 in Edmonton. They were assisted by Knights of Columbus State Deputy Neil Gannon and District Deputy Patrick Picardo.
“It’s a way of reaching out, and welcoming Kids into the community,” says Hnatiw. “We live in a cold place – and this is a concrete way we can show our Kids and those less fortunate that we care.
“The ‘Coats for Kids’ program brings people together. Hnatiw says. “Warmth has many meanings. We hope our gift will bring warmth to the bodies, hearts and souls of these precious young people.”
Rev. James Holland, Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church of First Peoples was also present to bless the coats.
Additional distributions are being conducted by other Knights of Columbus councils in Edmonton.
Saturday’s event marks the third year that the “Coats for Kids” initiative of the Knights of Columbus has been giving new winter coats to children in need. Altogether, the Knights of Columbus will distribute more than 12,000 coats this winter across the U.S. and Canada.
The “Coats for Kids” program is part of the Knights’ “Help a Child in Need” campaign, which began in 2006 with a nationwide appeal during the Christmas season for donations to charities that support the needs of children. The initiative began as an effort to help families with children living in colder climates who have been severely impacted by the sharp and sudden downturn in the economy.
This year, the Knights of Columbus’ “Help a Child in Need” effort includes providing prosthetics for children in Haiti who lost their limbs in the January, 2010 earthquake.
If your Knights of Columbus council is interested in participating in the “Coats for Kids” initiative, please complete the order form and send to one of the following:
- E-mail to robert.ennis@kofc.org
- Fax to 203-752-4108
- Mail to
Knights of Columbus
Attn: R. Ennis, 12th Floor
1 Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510
Please note that all orders must be signed by the grand knight (for a local council), district deputy (for a district), or state deputy (for a state council), and that there is no need to enclose payment with the order. Once the coats have shipped, and shipping charges have been determined, the Supreme Council will ask for payment from the local council, district or state council. Please pay by check (payable to Knights of Columbus), and allow 2-3 weeks from receipt of the order for delivery.