On Saturday, December 7, the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, in association with St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, hosted a Coats for Kids drive at the church. This event has been a resource for the community for about five years.

  Each year, coats are handed out to children in need in the local community. Families are screened through the St. James Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society prior to receiving the coats from the organization.

  Approximately 70 coats were given to children in need in the community, along with 70 Christmas stockings filled with toys and other goodies.

  A lunch of hotdogs and chips was served. The children also got to participate in holiday themed crafts. Cookie decorating, lanyard decorating and ornament making were some of the crafts offered to the children that came to the event.

  “The Knights is a fraternal organization that places a high value on charity, fraternity, and unity. But, charity is our first and foremost principle. Any time we can find a way to put our faith in action and bring charity to our neighbors and community, we find it not only living up to our values but also very rewarding as being a member of the Knights of Columbus and the community and family of Henry County,” said Larry Garcia, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

  Local volunteers from the church and the surrounding community came to St. James the Apostle Catholic Church to hand out coats, stockings, help with crafts and feed the families.

  “I was a volunteer for the drive this year. It was fun and satisfying to see the kids enjoying themselves,” said John Virag, volunteer.  

  For more information about the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, visit www.koc7601.org or look for them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/koc7601.