Council 10208 has a two-pronged approach in its campaign to Keep Christ in Christmas this holyday season.  A large billboard depicting the nativity scene is being

Billboard

displayed during November and December on highway 7 on the Village side of Hot Springs - across from the U-Store It/Flea Market site.  The sign is made of vinyl and can be used again next year.  This project was coordinated by Church Director Tom Yerina.

Keep_Christ_in_Christmas

Secondly, Nativity Scene car magnets are being sold to all Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners after weekend masses and to anyone else interested in purchasing them.  The cost is a very reasonable $5.00 each.  The magnets make excellent early Christmas gifts, and giving them to children and grandchildren will spread the message to communities across the country.   Profits from this project will help defray  the cost of the aforementioned billboard.  Warden Bill Hartnett is directing this program with a goal of selling 400 this season (Bill reached his goal by mid-December, thanks to the support of the knights and the Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners).

Karen_Mendoza

Bob and Mary Anne Honzik have been working with the "Walking with Karen" project for over nine years.  During this time, they have not only given of themselves and their personal funds, but they have sought assistance from other sources as well, including Council 10208, which has had this project as one of its annual charitable beneficiaries.   Now that Karen will be completing her education, this effort is reaching closure with a final gift of $3,000, including the Council's donation of $1,000 from its Disabilities Campaign.  A letter of summation and heartfelt thanks received November 1 from Bob and Mary Anne follows:

Steve Schramer (left) and Bob Pfaffinger

The Council welcomes three new members, two of whom recently went through the 1st Degree Exemplification in Little Rock and one reactivation.  Steve Schramer from Seattle and Bob Pfaffinger from Minnesota are new knights, and Chuck Mac Donald was recently reactivated after having been a knight in Florida.  Welcome to the Council!

Steve Schramer, Ray Peters, Bill Roe, Larry Stein

Within a month eleven Council 10208 members advanced to the 3rd Degree, with seven at Conway and four at Fort Smith. The first group consisted of Jack Barrett, Tony Ciffeli, Tom DeVito, Ernest Folse, Larry Harness, Jim Jendro, and Rolland White.  The second group included Steve Schramer, Ray Peters, Bill Roe, and Larry Stein.  Congratulations to these knights upon advancing to the 2nd degree emphasizing unity and the 3rd degree focusing on fraternity.

East_Gate

The October 16 Intellectual Disabilities Campaign raised $6,121.89.Thanks to coordinators Tom Quevillon and Phil Carl, to all the knights who donated money, and to the  many volunteer knights for making this event a success, especially after it had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The campaign netted $5,543.07 after expenses.  In addition to $831.46 sent to the state council for its 15%portion, $1,000 will support Walking with Karen, $1,000 will go to National Camps for Blind Children, and $2,711 will be sent to First Step School for individuals with developmental issues in Hot Springs.