State Community Chairman
Douglas Oldmixon
512-441-4751
Texas State Programs Committee will recognize 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Awards for three of the Community
Activities programs submitted for consideration by March 15, 2007.
For fraternal year 2006-2007, the State Family Activities will focus on the
Billy Quintanilla Memorial Blood Drive as the primary program. Additionally,
extraordinary participation with the Special Olympics will also be recognized.
We strongly urge every Council to participate in these two very worthy programs.
The additional programs referenced are also recommendations for Council consideration.
1. BILLY QUINTANILLA BLOOD DRIVES
Councils throughout the state are asked to become a regular sponsor in their community and promote
blood donations - a "Gift of Life" for many.
Here are some suggestions to have a successful program:.
STATE COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
Award
Criteria
The Grand Knight, District Deputy and Diocesan Deputy with the highest percentage of units donated
per member will receive special recognition from the State. The winner selection will be
based on council membership versus the number of units donated. This will allow the smaller
Councils, Districts and Dioceses to compete with the larger ones on a fair basis.
2. Support the SPECIAL OLYMPICS
The Knights of Columbus have a long-standing relationship of over 30 years supporting the Special
Olympics. It is one of the most rewarding areas of service that Knights provide, and we
encourage every council to get involved with the local Special Olympics committee. The Supreme
Office provides funds to support the State Special Olympics activities based on the number of volunteer
hours provided by Knights to the Special Olympics. Councils which report the greatest number
of volunteer hours per member and greatest monetary donations per member will be recognized with special
awards by the State Council. Report both hours and donations on the Form 4584 by
January 31, 2007.
STATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Award
Criteria
The Grand Knight, District Deputy and Diocesan Deputy with the highest percentage
of hours donated per member AND dollars donated per member will receive
special recognition. This is two categories of awards: one for hours and one for dollars.
Winner selection will be based on council membership versus the number of hours or dollars donated.
This will allow smaller Councils, Districts and Dioceses to compete with the larger ones on a fair basis.
Data as reported on Form 4584 by January 31, 2007 will be used
to calculate winners
Additional Programs Recommended:
3. Support Veterans & Military in your Community
The Knights of Columbus have supported our armed forces and veterans in extraordinary ways since
before World War I. Originally envisioned to support Catholics in military service, "KC Huts"
began on the Rio Grande River and extended across the United States and Canada and into Europe.
Quickly expanded to serve all who needed help, their successful appeal was based on the philosophy of
"Everyone Welcome; Everything Free". After WWI ended, Knights
provided employment and educational services for returning veterans.
At the urging of the War Department, shortly before U.S. entry into World War II, the KC Huts program
was combined with the service programs of the Salvation Army, the YMCA and a Jewish benevolent society
to form the United Services Organization (the USO), still active world-wide today. The original
philosophy of the Knights of Columbus still guides the USO.
Since WWII, Knights have volunteered in US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, clinics,
residential treatment facilities and veteran cemeteries across the nation, donating time and earning
VA Volunteer Services (VAVS) credits for helping veterans. Find a way for your Council to
continue this vital tradition. To learn about VAVS and find the nearest VA facility, go to
this site: www1.va.gov/volunteer/about.html
In Texas, we also have seven Texas State Veterans Homes (TSVH) where aging veterans live out there
final days with dignity. Through cooperative arrangements between TSVH & VA, volunteers in
the TSVH also qualify for VAVS credit. Also, the first of four planned Texas State Veterans
Cemeteries (TSVC) was opened in 2006 near Killeen. The Knights placed a special memorial in
this cemetery. To find a TSVH or TSVC near your council, go to this site:
www.glo.state.tx.us/vlb/
Especially in this time of war, support to our military and their families is vitally important.
Contact the Family Support/Services Office of the nearest military base, or join forces with a local
post of the American Legion or the VFW to provide needed support to tomorrow's veterans.
4. Participate in the Silver Rose Program
The Silver Rose that is run from Canada to Mexico is a powerful public reminder that the nations of
the Americas are under the patronage and protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Begun by the
Columbian Squires, and with the assistance of the Fourth Degree, the Silver Rose program also promotes
the sanctity of life in a very public way. Opportunities exist to involve many sectors of the
community in this event, and to generate news coverage, especially in those four Dioceses along the I-35
corridor route (Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Laredo). Councils not in these four Dioceses can also participate in this impressive program. Each
Fourth Degree District Master will also get a Silver Rose to circulate in his District during the same
period. Councils should volunteer to host a Pro-life Mass, Prayer Service, Rosary, Corporate
Communion or other event while the Silver Rose is in your area. Invite public participation
via the media.
5. Recognize & Support Public Safety Officials
Honor Law Enforcement, Firefighters, EMS and other First Responders as a
tribute to their selfless service on our behalf in the local community. Support efforts to
recognize them in schools, churches and other places, especially in conjunction with youth and families.
Work with your Fourth Degree Assembly to sponsor an "Appreciation Night", or a "Blue Mass",
and give annual awards to outstanding individuals chosen by the various public safety departments.
Consider granting educational scholarships in the names of the honorees.
6. Support the Wheelchair Foundation
We have teamed up with the Wheelchair Foundation to help bring wheelchairs to those who lack the
freedom of mobility, due to illness, accident or war. For a mere $75 contribution by a council,
assembly, circle or an individual, and a matching $75 donation by the Wheelchair Foundation, they can
purchase a $500 wheelchair for $150. For your $75 donation, you will receive a personalized
presentation certificate and a book called "Road to Purpose", authored by Kenneth E. Behring, the
founder of the Wheelchair Foundation sharing his personal journey that led to the creation of the
Wheelchair Foundation, and the stories of people we have touched, and those that have touched us.
For a $150 donation, you will receive a signed book from the author/founder. More importantly,
for your contribution, you will know that you are personally helping someone get out to see the sunshine,
possibly attend school for the first time or get a job.
Our goal for 2006 - 2007 is to achieve contributions between January 1 - March 31, 2007 to provide
560 wheelchairs (two containers). Through the recommended list of underdeveloped counties
provided by the Wheelchair Foundation, the State Deputy and State Programs Director will select where the
full containers, made available through the Texas Knights of Columbus, will be delivered. We
will be given the opportunity to accompany the containers to lend a personal hand for the distribution of
these wheelchairs that will be proudly displaying a label indicating "Donated by the Knights of Columbus".
We will provide more information about the results of this drive, some awards and the planned
distribution at the May 2007 State Convention in Corpus Christi.
Donations should be made payable to: Wheelchair Foundation
Complete the attached "Wheelchair Foundation
Donation Form" and mail your contribution to:
Marce Tebbe
8335 High Brush Drive
Dallas, TX 75249
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