Courtesy photo
Annual Special Citizens Drive raises Over $3,700
Submitted by John J. Doolan
The Cranford Knights of Columbus recently held our Annual Special Citizens Drive collecting money for organizations that support individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council has supported the Special Olympics since 1968 through a close relationship with Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her husband, Brother Knight Sargent Shriver.
Since 1968, the Knights of Columbus has raised and donated over $600 million to many other programs as well with the Special Olympics being the largest. The Supreme Council also covers the cost for Special Olympians from the US and Canada to attend the Special Olympics World Games every year when they are held all over the world. In New Jersey, many other Councils hold Special Citizens Drives every year with local canning collections like ours, Polar Plunges, and other special events to raise funds.
Here in Cranford, Brother Knights were out in force canning and collecting in front of local businesses where permitted, the Post Office, the Conversation Center and after all the Masses at St. Michael’s Church. This year, we set a record collecting well over $3,700 and the raised funds will be donated to the Shining Stars Network, to the Cerebral Palsy League, both whom we have supported in the past, and to the Mount Carmel Guild who is new with us this year. From the total of all monies collected by New Jersey local Councils, the New Jersey Knights of Columbus State Council keeps 10% of the gross from every Council which is donated exclusively to the New Jersey Special Olympics.
Brother Knights Joe Starkey and Charlie Maucione have chaired our Special Citizens Drive for many years and thanks to their efforts as well as the support from our Council members, our Drive has always done very well and been a success.
Next year when you are out and about in Cranford and see Brother Knights out canning, you now will know why, and we would like to thank all of the Cranford residents and visitors to our town and St. Michael’s parishioners who support us each and every year.
Since the Council’s founding in 1970, the Cranford Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Men’s Fraternal Organization dedicated to our four core principles, Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Our Council supports many worthy charities and civic causes and is committed to being a viable part of our community. For information about joining the Cranford Council, please contact our Grand Knight Kevin Cumiskey at 973-390-9327 or visit our web site, cranfordknights.org.
