Local Knights of Columbus celebrate century of service
New members, fundraiser sought
The Knights of Columbus Campion Council 1840 is celebrating its 100th year of service to the Prairie du Chien community and area. When you hear the Knights of Columbus, do you think of rodeos or Tootsie Rolls only or a Catholic service-oriented group of men? Fr. McGivney founded the order in the 1800s. He is known as the Apostle of the Young and the Protector of the Christian Family Life in an era when widows and orphans were overlooked.
The Knights of Columbus membership is open to Catholic men 19 years of age or older with a willingness to offer time, talent, or raise money to help people in need. The local council consists of 90 men: 45 who are 60 years and older and 45 younger than 60 years of age. Campion Council 1840 of Prairie du Chien desires to follow Fr. McGivney’s approach to life within the church and providing services to the community. What follows are two activities of importance and a brief description of how members are involved.
The Campion Council 1840 strives to hold quarterly food and supply drives, with shopping lists available. Also, they accept personal care, paper products, and elderly care products. A September directive from the national convention in August asked councils to unite more with their parishes. Consequently, the Knights will likely run its drives in conjunction with Holy Family Parish of Prairie du Chien. Performing charitable service is one of the trademarks of a Knight. Look for the organization’s banners for food and infant needs as you shop.
In addition to the aforementioned drive, Campion Council 1840 sells raffle tickets annually to write out charity checks and apply for grants for those in need. Members have tickets available from now until April 27, 2016. First prize is $50,000, second prize $25,000, third $15,000, fourth and fifth place $5,000, sixth through 10th $1,000, and 11th through 30th $500. From the sale of the tickets, the state council dispensed $298,423 to local councils throughout the state last year. Campion Council received $905. The year before, the council received $945. The percentage of return from the sale of tickets brings $2-2.50 back to Prairie du Chien area community.
In 2014, the local Knights helped the food pantry with a collection match, helped a local person with medical complications, applied for an additional grant from the state charity fund of which she received $1,500 more to cover expenses, and helped a critical incident individual as well. The $905 received this year must be spent before April with documentation explaining why and where the money was used. Ask and the council is willing to look into ways it can help. The council has been keeping record of the grants applied for, since there a numerous requests.
Campion Council has provided expense cards for use to people to rebuild or re-establish themselves after medical or financial hardships (i.e. loss of job or a result of natural disaster). Each request is reviewed as it’s presented. Sometimes, the council provides family men to use their skills and talents to assist people in need. Campion Council may be able to provide financial assistance without setting precedence for how it uses its funds while being true to the history of quiet involvement within the community as a member of a Catholic fraternal service organization. Members attempt to be Christ present through their actions.
The council has also helped a person from St. Peter’s congregation and a person of unknown faith in a time of need. The council members offered time and are capable of providing some services to the Salvation Army, which has its Prairie du Chien coordinator at the United Methodist Church. Campion Council 1840 is currently brainstorming for inexpensive family-friendly fundraisers beyond a charity raffle to increase the amount of money the council has to disperse to the community, church and youth.
To those who received assistance or services, Campion Council 1840 extends their gratitude for its chance to serve you.
Some years back, a fire destroyed the Campion Council history files. It is the organization’s hope that the public might know and be willing to share stories of how the 100-year-old presence of these Catholic fraternal services have made a difference in life within Prairie du Chien and the surrounding area. As the council continues to record current history and service events, maybe the community can help Campion Council recover some of its lost or forgotten history.
