The Lambertville, N.J., chapter of the Knights of Columbus (KOC) donated $3,310 to two local nonprofit organizations July 30.
The Knights of Columbus of St. John the Evangelist Church, Council 10024, donated $1,655 each to the Center for Educational Advancement (CEA) in Flemington, N.J., and The Arc of Hunterdon County’s Respite Program, based in Annandale, N.J.
In a brief ceremony at the offices of the CEA, donated checks were accepted from KOC Grand Knight Lou Failla and John Paul Gontarski, a KOC member as well as a CEA employee and Arc member, to Michael Skoczek, president and CEO, CEA, and Jeffrey Mattison, executive director, Hunterdon Arc.
“On behalf of the Lambertville chapter of the Knights of Columbus, I am very pleased to continue our support to both of these fine organizations that provide such valuable service to the community,” Failla said.
The Knights of Columbus have donated the bulk of the proceeds of their “God’s Special Children” annual fund drive each of the past 14 years to both organizations, recognizing their commitment to the provision of services to the developmentally disabled and their caretakers.
The Lambertville KOC Council has donated over $29,000 to each of these organizations over the past 15 years. The remainder of the funds collected by the Knights (10% each year) has supported New Jersey Special Olympics.
The Knights of Columbus annual fund drive takes place at Shoprite in Flemington, and on the streets of Lambertville.
“All of us at CEA and The CEA Schools thank the Lambertville Knights of Columbus for their generosity. We rely on community support to assist us (in providing) the best services and pathways to employment, (which) our program participants deserve, and welcome their regular support for our employment programs,” said Skoczek.
Mattison added, “The Lambertville Knights have been a tremendous boost for many years to our underfunded and unfunded programs at the Arc of Hunterdon County. Their annual commitment to supporting the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, enables us to continue to provide much-needed services throughout Hunterdon County.”
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