Knights are called to serve others. Our first principle is Charity – at home with our families and in our communities. When Knights of Columbus members come together as one through their council and parish, they accomplish great things.
The Supreme Council provides elements of the Community Program area which are summarized here:
The Community Program area elements which were gathered from the Columbian Award application and the Annual Fraternal Survey forms are show in this list:
- Coats For Kids - direct contributions to purchasing and distribution of coats to those in need.
- Global Wheelchair Mission - direct contributions to purchasing and coordination of wheelchair distribution to the needy.
- Habitat for Humanity - direct contributions to Habitat for Humanity projects, materials, tools, and construction.
- Disaster Preparedness/Relief - direct contributions to planning and executing disaster preparedness and response, food, water, equipment, etc.
- Physically Disabled/Intellectual Disabilities - direct contributions to schools, care services, organizations, etc.
- Elderly/Widow(er) Care - direct contributions to homes for the aged, retired/senior volunteer programs, construction, repairs, remodeling, gifts, etc.
- Hospitals/Health Organizations - direct contributions to Red Cross, Hospice, heart/cancer funds, equipment, construction, donations, etc.
- Columbian Squires - direct contributions to the operations and support of the Columbian Squires program.
- Scouting/Youth Groups - direct contributions to sponsorship, volunteer efforts, projects, 4-H, Big Brothers, CYO, mentoring, etc.
- Athletics - direct contributions to council sport events, youth sport sponsorships, equipment, transportation, etc.
- Youth Welfare/Service - direct contributions to substance/child abuse, foster parents, etc.
- Scholarships/Education - direct contributions to career nights, essay contests, scholarships, tuition, fund raising, etc.
- Veteran Military/VAVS - direct contributions to veterans, VA hospital support/visitation, memorials, parades, etc.
- Miscellaneous Community/Youth Activities - all other disbursements not outline above relating to Community Activities.
Our Council Community Programs and Projects are shown below:
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St Vincent De Paul Society
Food drives and collection, food distribution, shelter coordination, emergency utility assistance, and many other support activities on behalf of the poor are conducted by Saint Vincent De Paul Society. The Society depends and needs volunteers for management (officers, accounting) and for the operation of the food bank and second-hand resale store. Several key members are Brothers and family members of BSC. The Society also serves a great spiritual need for its members and supported individuals.
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Good Neighbor Alliance (GNA) Banquet
The Columbian Association hosts an annual dinner for the member organizations of the GNA. BSC pays for a table of seats at the annual GNA Banquet. GNA provides homeless assistance to those who are desperately in need of community assistance, it is organization whose supporting members consist of many supporting businesses and charitable organizations in the community. The dinner support is provided by BSC Brothers and family member volunteers, along with AHG and other Youth Ministries of St Andrew the Apostle Parish. The proceeds of the dinner help maintain the Columbian Association Hall.
BSC provides all the volunteers to serve drinks at the beer tent each September at the Sierra Vista Oktoberfest. This annual 3-day event provides a significant source of income for the council. Under management of the City of Sierra Vista, the operation incurs no financial obligation for the council, but offers a rewarding experience with the festive atmosphere and the opportunity to develop camaraderie with fellow volunteers, and to interact favorably with many members of the surrounding community.
BSC and the Columbian Association sponsor a food tent booths at the Sierra Vista West End Community Fair. The fair is sponsored by the businesses and community organizations on the west end of Sierra Vista in an area known as the Fry District. While this is a depressed area of town, the businesses and organizations try to boost the dignity and community spirit in this area by making this festive event easily accessible to the nearby residents. The Brothers who cook and provide finger food take the opportunity to hand out pamphlets and talk about the Knights of Columbus and the benefits of their fraternal activity. BSC Knights under the auspices of St Paul's Street Evangelization provided encounters with those outside the Catholic Church who were given spiritual highlights of the faith, Rosaries, religious medals, pamphlets, and positive invitation to look toward the Catholic Faith for answers.
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Tri-annual Highway Clean-Up
BSC sponsors a one-mile section of Highway 90 by-pass under the Adopt a Highway Program. Brothers, family members, and members of Boy Scout Troop 464 and American Heritage Girls Troop 1464 provide volunteer support to collect refuse and litter on the sides of the roadway. This tri-annual collection is a great way to support our community by keeping the landscape free of ugly debris.
BSC will support and coordinate clean-up and repair of the Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Thrift Shop on a bi-annual basis. Brothers will haul away unsuitable donations from the intake area to the town transfer station. They will repair shelving and fenced areas within their capability. The Thrift Shop sales are used by SVdP to support emergency support to families in the community, especially those facing loss of utilities and eviction.
BSC sponsors fund raisers such as a Golf Tournament, Pancake Breakfast, Yard Sale, or others that are used to support the Service Program. Brothers and their families, as well as other ministries provide volunteers to carry out the fund raising activities. Sometimes, with items donated for a Yard Sale, unsold items are relinquished to the Ladies of Saint Andrews for their Bazaar and White Elephant sales which are used to fund other Parish events.
Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest
BSC supports the Knights of Columbus Catholic Citizenship Essay contest designed to promote critical thinking about upholding and defending our faith. The annual contest begins at the local parish level and progresses to State and then National/International levels. BSC volunteers chair the program and coordinate participation and judging.
FY 2018-19 International Essay Contest Winner from Bishhop Salpointe Council
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Children's Christmas Party
The BSC sponsors a Christmas Party at the Columbian Association Hall in December. All neighborhood children and any needy children are invited to participate in games, receive candy and register for generous door prizes. BSC Brothers and volunteers solicit gift cards and other gifts for the children who greatly appreciate the generosity. They raise funds through a spaghetti dinner at the Columbian Association Hall to purchase gift cards and door prizes, and also provide the volunteers for Santa and game operations.
The BSC may purchase winter coats for needy children. Brothers Knights purchase coats from the Supreme council and distribute the coats through local parishes and school programs.
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Saint Joseph’s Youth Camp
BSC Brother and family volunteers support fund raisers that raise money to send needy youngsters to a one-week summer camp at St Joseph’s Youth Camp in Mormon Lake, Arizona. Brothers also solicit and prepare candidate youths to participate in the camp. The Brothers also drive a van to transport the youth to and from the camp each summer. Up to 10 underprivileged youths are afforded this opportunity each summer.
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Father of Lights Festival
The BSC supports the Father of Lights Festival as a Halloween alternative at a local park which is also supported by the Columbian Association. All Parish and neighborhood children are invited to participate in games, receive candy/food, and watch movies in an area that is lighted and monitored by parish and council members and families. BSC Brothers and volunteers prepare and serve burgers, hot dogs and baked goods to neighborhood families with children who greatly appreciate the generosity and safe environment. Participation of other neighborhood churches is encouraged and embraced as an ecumenical event with each faith group being encouraged to present literature and interact with visitors to the event. Several hundred children and their parents benefit from this event each year, and that number continues to grow.
The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge is a competition designed for players to demonstrate the most basic soccer skill – the penalty kick. Open to all boys and girls in your community, ages 9-14, where each player will be allowed 15 shots at the goal from the penalty line (12 yards from the goal). Winners progress to the district, regional, state and international levels. BSC needs volunteers are needed to run or oversee the competition which takes place locally in September. The remaining timeline is as follows: District Championship – October; Regional Championship – October/November; and State Championship – November.
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College Scholarship and Safe Night Graduate Programs
BSC provides scholarship funds annually to college-bound high school students. Applications are distributed to local high school candidates from surrounding parishes and the BSC Brothers conduct a selection board to determine the award of several scholarships. To read more about the scholarship fund and how to apply, follow the link below:
CLICK HERE
Our council also donates funds to sponsor graduation safe-night / lock-in parties to keep the graduates safe from the dangers of drunk driving on graduation night.
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Community Easter Sunrise Service Support
BSC provides sound system set up and serves coffee and donuts during the annual Easter Sunrise Service conducted at the Sierra Vista Veterans Memorial park.
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Membership Recruitment, Retention and Support
On first Sunday of the Month, Brothers from BSC set up coffee and donuts at the St Andrew the Apostle Parish Kiosk in front of the Church. Brothers advertise the Council while serving coffee and donuts after each morning Mass. Potential members are approached and asked about their interests.
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Council Retention Committee
BSC Officers and committee members review and reach out to those members who fail to renew their membership dues, before entertaining any action to suspend the membership of those who fail to pay their dues.
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Founder’s Day Dinner Support
BSC provides an evening dinner for the Brothers and their wives to commemorate the establishment of the Knights of Columbus Order. Council Officers present the Order’s history and the sacrifice and vision of Father Michael J. McGivney – the Order’s founder. Guest speakers and other entertainment at the dinner are used to provide inspiration and camaraderie.
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Columbian Association Support
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Council and Community Organization Meeting Facility and Banquet Support
The BSC Brothers and family volunteers assist the Columbian Association with maintaining the Columbian Association Hall grounds and facility. As members of Council 4584, Knights are automatically members of the Columbian Association. Also supported are the needs of charitable organizations that need a space to conduct fundraising activities such as banquets. Also supported are Law Enforcement and Veterans groups fraternal organizations that need meeting space for their fraternal activities.
The BSC Brothers, family and friends form Bingo teams that host Bingo games open to the community. These activities sustain the Columbian Hall as a means to support the Knights of Columbus councils and assemblies, and charitable or local fraternal organizations needs for meeting space.
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Formation and Knighthood Degrees Exemplification Hosting; District and State Meeting Hosting
The BSC Brothers coordinate exemplification ceremonies for the Formation and Knighthood Degrees, which are conducted at the Columbian Association Hall as a combined endeavor. Volunteers participate in the ceremonies, sell lunch tickets, run registration, and maintain security at the facility.
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District Councils and Assembly Officer Installation Banquet
BSC along with the Columbian Association hosts the District Council and Patriotic Degree Assembly Officers Installation Banquets. Brothers set up the dining area in the Columbian Hall and assist with ceremonial formalities that involve the District and State Council officers. District Councils and Assembly new officers take oath of office during ceremonies attended by their Brother and wives from councils and Assembly in the District.
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Cultural Heritage Celebrations
BSC and parish members help celebrate rich cultural traditions from Mexican, Filipino, German, Irish, Native American, and many other cultures with whom we share the American experience that bonds us together.
