Thank you to all the councils and the work that you have put in this last fraternal year!
Here are the Service Awards handed out at the 108th Annual Arizona State Convention:
1) Navarrete Vocations Program Award - St. Paul Council 15001 - Phoenix, AZ
If you have participated in the annual “Nuns Run” for the Poor Clare Nuns held at the Tempe Kiwanis Park you will recognize these Knights volunteering across this event. This council also provided vocations support in many areas. They sponsored an annual Seminarian luncheon. They also sponsor a dinner for young men discerning the Priesthood as a vocation. They contributed funds to the Military Vocations scholarship Fund, as well as directly to seminarians.
Grand Knight Greg Vanek - DD 25 John McNulty
2) Pro-Life Program Award - Holy Cross Council 7904 - Mesa, AZ
This council did numerous Pro-Life projects throughout the year, including hosting a Pro-Life dinner, maintained the Floral display at the Knights of Columbus Tomb for the Unborn at their Parish, distributed 2,500 KofC Prayer for Peace prayer cards, providing buses and ushers at the Arizona Rosary Celebration, distributed over 1,000 roses on Mother’s Day, built signs and participated in Pro-Life rallies, and donated several thousand dollars to needed Pro-Life causes.
Grand Knight Timothy G McDonald - DD 27 Bill Richie
3) Church Service Program Award - Roy Champeau Council 8077 - Tucson, AZ
This Council was heavily involved with organizing and hosting the First Annual Tucson Men’s conference held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson. They prepared and served the lunch, arranged the Mass and worked with the Diocese and other Councils to schedule speakers, musicians, and sound for the conference
Grand Knight Tom Camenisch - DD 4 William Barrett III
4) Community Service Program Award - Pope Pius XII Council 4737 - Goodyear, AZ
This Council sponsored a Turkey Shoot Bingo event to raise funds and food to prepare and deliver food baskets at Christmas. Participants at this events competed to win 45 Turkeys that were donated by members. Desserts and beverages were also sold to the 150 participants. In total $950 in cash was raised which became 37 food baskets that were then delivered to needy families in the community on December 20th, in time for Christmas Dinner.
Grand Knight Pasqual Rudolfo DD 28 Joseph Kramer
5) Council Service Program Award - St. Joan of Arc Council 14357 - Phoenix, AZ
The St. Michael’s Indian School Project. Council members lead the annual drive to adopt families on the Navajo Indian Reservation. In late summer of each year planning is begun with nominations coming from the Indian communities themselves. What began in 2002 with 25 families near Window Rock has grown to include over 200 families at St Michaels, St. Mary Mission in Thatchi NM, and St Patrick Mission in Vanderwagen NM. On the first weekend in December members and parishioners make the 13 hour, 350 mile journey to deliver the clothing, food and other items for the adopted families.
Grand Knight Rick Flores DD 25 John McNulty
6) Culture of Life Service Program Award - Corpus Christi Council 10062 - Phoenix, AZ
Each year this Council purchases over 1200 roses at discounted prices and hands them out at each morning Mass on Mother’s day. They do not charge but only accept donations. Last year the donations exceeded $1,000 and were used to support the Right to Life and Respect Life ministries. All the expenses for the roses are paid by the Council with all donations going to other ministries.
Grand Knight Doug McCarty DD 22 Tom Kato
7) Family Service Program Award - Bishop Salpointe Council 4584 - Sierra Vista, AZ
This Council participated in the Parish Ministry Fair and Parish Picnic in September. They cooked and served 400 hamburgers and 300 hot dogs donated by the Council to Parish members. Hosting booths promoting the Knights of Columbus, the Arizona Rosary Celebration and assisting in set up and clean up of the event. As a result of seeing Knights in Action several parishioners joined the Knights of Columbus.
Grand Knight Charles A Pisani SR DD 1 Lawrence Powers
8) Youth Service Program Award - St. Anne Council 10540 - Gilbert, AZ
In support of the Parish Youth Director this Council assisted in a Youth Picnic and Paintball event held at the end of the class year and start of the summer break. The Council also assists on a monthly basis to cook one meal for the teens and ice cream socials for other groups
Grand Knight Chris Schwarz DD 8 Tony Dickherber