Knights in Action: Agents of Charity

Local insurance agents deliver supplies by truck

Knights of Columbus insurance agents are always ready to help brother Knights with their financial needs. But in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Knights of Columbus insurance agents traveled from town to town in North Carolina, delivering supplies and providing aid to residents. Councils in other states, including Louisiana and New York, also offered supplies and assistance.

In Raleigh, more than 100 miles from the hardest-hit areas, General Agent Chris Mahoney and his agents reached out to policy owners in the area to determine their food and supply needs. Each agent conducted his own fundraising and collection of supplies. Some reached out to residents in nearby areas, asking them to donate their unused supplies to help impacted families.

The agents’ dedication and assistance follows the international efforts of Knights of Columbus, which has raised more than $450,000 and volunteered hundreds of hours to help Florence victims. It continues a tradition of helping those in need that stems from the organization’s founding in 1882.

Mahoney said he spent the week after the hurricane driving truckloads of canned goods, blankets, toiletries and medical supplies over narrow back roads. Despite flooding in the region, the agents were able to distribute the items once water receded and roads became passable.

It was not just agents from North Carolina that offered such help. Nearby agents, such as General Agent Bob Abbate of Virginia, came in to assist. Abbate said he drove four hours one way to drop off a truckload of supplies in Wilson, N.C.

“Bob Abbate, Chris Mahoney and their fellow agents exemplified what it means to be an insurance agent with the Knights of Columbus and to be a Brother Knight,” Bill Murray, SVP, Agency and Marketing, said. “We help those in need. I am proud to say that I work with and lead a field force of agents and general agents who never deviate from the core principles and values of Knights of Columbus.”

Working with seven field agents and three local knights, Abbate brought supplies to Mahoney. According to Mahoney, Knights distributed goods to his hometown as well as Havelock, Lumberton, Jacksonville, Wallace and New Bern. After making the rounds, they returned to these areas to ensure the relief efforts continued.

“It was a great feeling to just be able to help out,” Mahoney said. “These people didn’t have anybody they could turn to.”

The insurance agents in North Carolina have received offers of supplies and assistance from local councils across the country, as well as the Supreme Council. You can help by donating to the Disaster Relief Fund HERE.