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Date: 5/4/2022
WARE – The Knights of Columbus is a global Catholic fraternal organization serving the church and community. It was established by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Since then, there are more than 16,000 local Knights of Columbus councils around the world including over 300 on college campuses. One of the councils is right here in Ware.
The Knights of Columbus Council 183 Ware started in 1896. They take care of three churches: St. Mary’s and All Saints in Ware, and St. Aloysius in Gilbertville. Chancellor Paul Harper explained, “Our objective is to take care of the church and community. We’re charitable across the town and we’re here to help people. We give $1,000 worth of scholarships every year to the seniors at the high school. The Knights of Columbus is a good strong organization that allows us to help our local community.”
The Ware Knights support the National Night Out where they give out hot dogs, soda and school supplies to all the families in Ware, free of charge. They host a soccer challenge every year for children in the community where they can win prizes and go on to regional and national events the Knights sponsor. The Ware Knights also host a basketball free throw event, a take and eat program once a month and a walk for autism.
The most important program they’ve done on an annual basis, Harper shared, is Coats for Kids. It’s authorized through the school system and goes through the churches. With the Coats for Kids program, they have given over 100 coats a year supplying any child who needs a jacket, coat and gloves as well as supplying coats to the local food pantry for adults.
“There are no administration fees on any of these charitable events we do,” said Harper. “One hundred percent of the proceeds goes into the programs.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Ware Knights pivoted and started a drive-thru Halloween parade at the municipal park. “It brought some normalcy to those awful times,” Harper mentioned. “We went from 300 to 400 hundred kids, to 600 kids and through the park there was over 700 cars that came to the event.”
Last year, they gave away over 1,000 candy bags to children and over 1,300 cars came through the park to see the displays.
Those that were on the Meals on Wheels program in town weren’t receiving weekend deliveries due to the pandemic. The Ware Knights decided to create a meal for them once a month. They delivered on a Saturday to the people who get Meals on Wheels in Ware. Now that life is starting to get back to normal, they are able to serve people a meal once a month again.
The Ware Knights recently hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for over 100 children ages 10 and under. Their upcoming events include a Mother’s Day Flower Sale on May 7 and 8 after each Mass at All Saints and St. Mary’s Church.
Later in the year they will be hosting a Tootsie Roll Drive, Spaghetti dinner fundraiser, Halloween Spooktacular and National Night Out.
More details will be forthcoming as each event draws near.
The Ware Knights are always looking for new members. The group meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at All Saints Church Hall. For those that are interested, call 277-5000 or email warekofc@yahoo.com, or visit them on Facebook at Knights of Columbus Ware MA.