By SUSAN TOBIAS
PLATTSBURGH — Thirty-five local, state and national charities have been graced with monetary gifts from Knights of Columbus #255, Monsignor Morris Dwyer Council, in Plattsburgh.
"From Jan. 1, 2009, to our recent Charitable Gift Night (dinner), we have given away $59,000," said Grand Knight Cliff Matott. "This is huge for this area, and it's the main reason we sponsor events all year long."
Matott said most of the money distributed at the dinner was raised through bingo nights and pull tabs. As well, a special collection, "Pennies from Heaven," adds up at each meeting, when members who show up without a rosary are required to put dollar bills into a collection jar. Those who do bring their prayer beads contribute just pennies and change. Whatever is collected is matched by the organization's treasury. One year, the collection was enough to buy uniforms for the ARC organization.
VITAL FUNDING
Seton Soup Kitchen, Champlain Valley Birthright and Treasure Chests are just three of the many local organizations to benefit from 2009 fundraising efforts by Council #255.
"They are wonderful," said Birthright Director Anne Marie Healey. "All of the monies we receive to operate come from donations, and the K of C has always been very good to us."
The Birthright chapter on Clinton Street in Plattsburgh is part of an international organization that offers confidential help to any woman who is pregnant regardless of age, race, creed, marital or economic status. Healey said donations from organizations and the community enable them to meet expenses such as rent, pregnancy-test kits and office supplies.
But when an emergency arises, she added, Birthright turns to the Knights of Columbus in Plattsburgh, which comes through without fail.
Seton Soup Kitchen feeds an average of 65 people every Monday night at 5:30 p.m. at Seton Academy (the former St. Peter's School) cafeteria on North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. The Knights of Columbus donation goes toward food purchases needed to meet demand.
"With this economy, we have seen a spike in numbers (of diners)," said Spiritual Director Mark Bennett, who oversees the Soup Kitchen. "At times, we've been up to 90 people coming in for a meal.
"Even though we do receive food items from restaurants and grocery stores, we still need to purchase some food items like meat and potatoes."
Though the name is Soup Kitchen, Bennett said, guests are actually served a complete hot meal. And most of those who show up aren't homeless or unemployed, as is commonly thought — they are also the working poor and the elderly who just run out of money for food.
"The Knights of Columbus have been very generous to us over the years," Bennett added. "There are no guarantees we will get any other grants, but we can always count on the knights."
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
Ellie Collins of Treasure Chests at CVPH Medical Center said charitable donations for the FitzPatrick Cancer Center group are most appreciated.
"Donations such as that received from the Knights of Columbus and others help to fund educational materials for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer; therapeutic and supportive programs for women with breast and other cancers; speakers for special programs for the support group; the annual Treasure Chests Soiree; and certain lymphedema supplies, and more," said Collins in an e-mail.
While the Plattsburgh council is proud it can be generous, Matott said he is amazed it can give out so much money with so few active workers. He pointed out it's a sign of the times and a sad situation that membership has dwindled to the point that he and other members are concerned about the council's future. They don't want the organization to die, but without young people to take over the reality is that is what may happen.
"They (older members) carried the organization for years and years," said Matott, "Now it's our turn to keep the ball rolling. We all work as volunteers, but we are all getting older, too."
The council meets in the Emmaus Room at St. Peters Church on Cornelia Street at 7 p.m. second Tuesday of each month. Any man who is of the Catholic faith is welcome to join the 113-year-old organization. Matott said they have a hard time getting younger people to become members.
"It's important to us to let people know we don't just sit around and drink coffee," he said. "We are a part of the community and we want to keep it that way."
E-mail Susan Tobias at: writertobias@gmail.com
