Local Knight of Columbus prepared to aid storm victims
Date: 1/30/2012
Jan. 30, 2012By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — Randy Bianchi, the grand knight of the Home City Council #63 of the Knights of Columbus, has no idea what 2012 will bring, but he said his council will be ready to help victims of extreme weather.
Bianchi explained to
Reminder Publications that Council #63 established a separate charitable fund it has used to help areas residents who were affected by the tornado and the microburst in 2011.
He said the amount the council has awarded people has been “significant.”
The Knights of Columbus, Bianchi explained, is a Catholic family fraternal organization that raises money to help the church, the general public and “anyone in need.” Specific issues the Knights support include sponsoring seminarians, promoting the pro-life movement and women’s health concerns.
He added that all of the money the Knights receives go to help people, as the organization is all-volunteer.
Well-known for its annual Tootsie Roll drive, Bianchi said Council #63 raised $1,200 in one weekend, which was used to assist people with disabilities. Monthly dinners with 50/50 raffles bring in additional revenue, he added.
Although Council #63 makes its home at St. Catherine of Sienna Church on Parker Street, Bianchi said the members are from communities such as Hampden and Chicopee, besides Springfield. Currently the Council has about 100 members.
The June 1, 2001 tornado inspired the council to create a separate fund to help people. Bianchi said awards went to people who had been displaced or lost their home or car in the storm. Generally, storm victims received $500, which Bianchi explained was a large amount to help someone with an insurance deductible.
“This is the first [time the Council] is doing this type of thing on this scale,” Bianchi said.
Some people received more than one allotment and Bianchi recalled one woman in Wilbraham who received help because the tornado seriously damaged her home. She was living in a mobile home parked in her driveway while her home was being repaired and a falling limb struck that vehicle during the microburst. She was given help again.
“The disaster relief fund is here to stay,” Bianchi said.
He noted that if people would like to contribute to the fund, checks written to Home City Council #63 should be sent to P.O. Box 81133, Springfield MA 01108-1133.
He added that the Council is always looking for new members. Candidates must be Catholic and older than the age of 18 and can contact Bianchi at 281-6612. Dues are $30 a year and level of participation is left up to the individual member.
