Pictured with Sister Noeline, Assistant Principal at St John's, are Milt Spaniel (l) and John Bodensteiner

The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council has sponsored a 'Coats for Kids' program since 2009 during which time over 40,000 coats have been given to the needy in the United States and Canada.  This fraternal year, the officers of Council 10208 decided to get involved and promote it as their primary program in the Youth category.  Program Director Jim Passe was assigned responsibility for its implementation.

The coats come from a Supreme supplier in cases of twelve with the same color and gender with a mix of sizes.  Each case is $195 and Supreme pays 50% of the shipping charges.  As an additional incentive for Councils to participate, those which purchase and distribute eight cases in a fraternal year will meet the Columbian/Star Council requirement for the Youth category. 

Working with Jim Passe were John Bodensteiner and Ed Keearns.  Given his frequent contacts with area school counselors on Village Outreach projects, Ed quickly identified three schools (Fountain Lake, Jessieville, and Mountain Pine) that would each distribute two cases of coats to their needy families.  John contacted the principal at St John's, who also wanted to participate.  The 96 coats have already been distributed to the four schools, just in time for the cold weather covering Central Arkansas.

Although discussed, but not approved, during the original budget discussions by the officers and directors last June, this project will be funded primarily by three new sources of income: 1) profit from the November Memorial Mass and Banquet coordinated by Dick Breckon; 2) the Wisconsin Cheese Sales project being promoted by Cheesehead Ed Miller; and, 3) 50% of a $1,000 Walmart community award recently obtained by grant writer Milt Spaniel.

This successful program is another fine example of how the local council is meeting its stated charitable objectives.