Scarborough: St Lawrence Martyr Council 13417 in Scarborough has once again partnered with the Meridian Credit Union and the Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) to donate winter coats to children in need.
144 children will receive new winter coats this year through the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program, and Jaime Libaque, Grand Knight of St. Lawrence the Martyr Council, is eager to do more.
“St Lawrence Council has been brining winter clothing to nearby schools since 2013, but the need is great, and we are only scratching the surface. There are a lot more people who need coats, and the past 2 years have seen these needs increase.” said Libaque.
The past 2 years of the pandemic limited the Knight’s ability to perform in-person works of charity, but Ontario Knights of Columbus members still come together virtually to donate over 15,000 coats to children in need, province wide. To put that in perspective, in the 4 years prior to the pandemic, the Knights had donated almost 20,000 coats.
This year’s goal is 10,000 coats, a goal that Libaque feels we can meet by expanding the program and getting more local businesses involved as sponsors. “With several councils in Scarborough supporting this cause, we have the ability to expand the work we can do.” Libaque says he sees a future for the program where Scarborough Knights councils could deliver 1,000 coats. It’s a goal that is becoming more and more likely.
This year’s giveaway, supported by Meridian Credit Union and 3 other Scarborough Knights Councils, will be held at the McGregor Community Center, 2231 Lawrence Ave E, on November 18th, from 1 to 3 pm.
About St Lawrence Martyr Council:
St Lawrence Martyr Council, located in the Kennedy and Lawrence Area of Scarborough, services the parish of St Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church and the surrounding community. The council has been an active member of the community since November 17, 2003. The council delivers more than 16 service programs a year, including donating over 1000 pounds of food to local food banks through the Food for Families program; partnering with ACSA and local businesses to donate through the Coats for Kids program, running a basketball free-throw competition for local youth, and marching in the Scarborough Canada Day Parade and the Ottawa March for Life events.
About the Knights of Columbus:
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant families in the United States, the Knights have grown to nearly two million members worldwide that share a commitment to investing their time, efforts and resources into activities that reflect their faith and values. The Knights provide members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the community, families, young people and the church. In 2018, the Knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization raised and distributed $185.7 million to charity rendered 76.7 million hours of volunteer service (about 8749 and a half years), and awarded post- secondary scholarships totaling over $700,000.
For more information contact:
Kris McKeown
St Lawrence Martyr Council Public Relations Director
Cell (647) 241-6797
sirknightkris@chatsmere.ca
