Pictured (l-r) Dub Green, John Bodensteiner, Bill Roe, Dave Johnston, Ed Miller, and Gerald Krawczynski

The Knights of Columbus Council 10208 once again had a very successful year in promoting its causes and supporting local charities.  The efforts were recognized and rewarded at the 104^th Annual Arkansas Knights of Columbus Convention held April 26-28 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers AR.

For the second year in a row, the Council won the “Large Council of the Year” award which is based significantly on the number of programs sponsored and the percentage of membership participation in those activities.  Program Director Jim Passe, who had supervised the activities throughout the year, compiled and submitted a report which reflected 23,353 volunteer hours dedicated to church, community, council, family, pro-life, and youth activities.  Also, fundraising efforts raised more than $33,000 to support its causes and charities.  Grand Knight Dave Johnston accepted the award.

The Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities, one of the more visible Knights’ programs within the Village, won the award for the most money raised by any of the 56 state councils.  Community Director Milt Spaniel championed this program and had his eyes set on his Council winning this award for the first time.  Thanks to the support of the Villagers and the personal contributions of the knights in both time and money, Council 10208 raised $10,280 (15% of the total raised by all state councils).  John Bodensteiner, who completed his second year as State Director of this campaign, accepted the award.

The third award received by the Council was for the greatest number of participants by a large council in the “Just Ask” campaign which seeks contributions from the more than 7,200 state knights to sustain the activities of the State Council, including its support of the Diocese of Little Rock.  Gerald Krawczynski, who has been involved with this state program for five years, including serving as its director, accepted the award.  Gerald himself also received a special plaque “in recognition and appreciation for many years of leadership and outstanding service to the Arkansas State Council Knights of Columbus.”

Earning these awards represents a commitment by all 305 members in support of the four basic tenets of the Knights of Columbus – charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

Representing the membership at the convention were Grand Knight Dave Johnston and Deputy Grand Knight Bill Roe.  Also in attendance were State Special Olympics Director Dub Green, State Director of the Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities John Bodensteiner, District 10 Deputy Ed Miller who just completed his third year, State Director of the Just Ask Campaign Gerald Krawczynski, and Father Bill Elser, who celebrated a 7:00am mass on Saturday for all attendees. Jim and Patricia Goodson, State Pro-Life Directors, were unable to attend.

The Northwest Arkansas Councils did an excellent job of hosting the convention.