Knights of Council 9544 can be proud of its ongoing support to the Catholic Centre for Immigrants (CCI) here in Ottawa. Most recently, the CCI has been nearly overwhelmed with the arrival of hundreds more Afghan refugees, as part of the Government of Canada’s pledge to bring to our country 40,000 Afghans, who have been forced to flee the brutal Taliban regime.

With winter setting in, and in many cases with just a suitcase in their possession, whatever help can be given these poor refugees is most appreciated. In that regard, I have had the rewarding experience of representing our Council to the CCI and finding out how we can help. Of course our biggest help to them (as readers will recall from previous Knight Lite issues) is this wonderful Coats for Kids program. Over the past three years we have given out more than100 new winter coats for both boys and girls (distinguished by colours – the girls preferring pink and white and the boys blue and black). For this winter we purchased four boxes of coats (48 in total), including among them a box of 12 adult coats, for both men and women.  So, our Council can be proud of the contributions we are making in helping refugees adjust to Canada, including having the necessary warm clothes that allows them to look for jobs and to actually enjoy the winter!

Special kudos must also be given to the wives of Brother Knights, who contributed their knitting skills. Indeed, I was able to deliver a dozen or so mitts, scarves, toques and wool slippers that were most appreciated by the CCI staff who took charge of distributing these highly popular items.  Blessings to the ladies who made them!

The total cost for the purchase of the coats this year amounted to $1340, all of which was paid for by the following contributors:

• Council 9544 Charity Account
• Greg Peddie
• SK Art Bohnen
• Tom Quinn
• Delfin Montuno
• Tom Flood
• SK James Riordan
• Richard Van Loon
• SK Joseph LeBlanc
• Jim Carew
• Paulette LaForce (parishioner)

Brothers, and the ladies that knitted, your generosity is appreciated!

 Faith in Action!  – Bob Near

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♥ Help a child stay warm this winter. Buy a box of Knights of Columbus winter coats or donate today at https://ontariokofc.ca/coat-for-kids/coats-for-kids/
♦ To learn about the KofC Coats for Kids Program, visit https://ontariokofc.ca/coat-for-kids/