Reed A. Fontenot III, Charities Director
Message from the Charity Director
Reed A. Fontenot, III, State Charities Director(501) 920-0102
reed.fontenot@att.netOur State Council theme resounds very well, “Christ Be Our Light”. Charity is at the heart of our work and our faith — and it always has been. Membership in the Order offers a wide variety of opportunities for men and their families to grow in their faith and serve those in need. Whether with gifts of money or works of service, the Knights must continue their strong support within their communities through initiatives and programs, such as American Wheelchair Mission, Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan Fund, Blood Drives, Cardinal Medeiros Fund, Disaster Response, Educational Grants, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Thanksgiving Masses, etc. Knights recognize our mission, and our faith in God; it compels us to action and calls us to recognize that “Christ Be Our Light”.
Charity Fundraising Team
David Keating, Chairman
(281) 890-2474 or jdkeating73@att.net
The Charity Fundraising Team will be leading the fundraising efforts with our Brother Knights. They will be challenging and inspiring our members to make contributions to State Council Charities.
The Fundraising Committeeman:
Bill Kennedy - 903-694-5105 or billkennedy1212@hotmail.com
Joe Grillo - 915-204-9565 or jrgrillo1@gmail.com
Howard Hinojosa - 956-223-6913 or bellnhow@earthlink.net
Every year, your Council is given an opportunity to earn awards by reaching their State Council Charity goal. The goal is derived by requesting $10.00 per member, as reflected on your Council membership roster on July 1, 2022. Remember, the Bishop of your Diocese will receive 70% of your Council’s charity contribution. The remaining 30% is retained by the State Council Charity Board to be used for statewide charitable purposes. If your council exceeds their goal, 100% of all monies exceeding your Diocesan charity goal will be returned to your Bishop. To ensure your Council receives proper credit, please make your checks payable to “State Council Charities” and ensure the Council Number is on the check.
Mail your check to:
Texas State Council Knights of Columbus,
6633 Hwy 290 East, Suite 204,
Austin, Texas 78723-1157
Charities Awards – 2022-2023 - Full details regarding to this year’s Charity Awards can be found on the Texas State Council website within the full version of the Star Guide.
The Texas State Council Charity Pin
Whenever a Brother Knight or family member donates $20.00 or more, they will be eligible to receive one of the beautiful, limited edition, State Council Charity lapel pin. By completing the Charity Contribution form, the member’s Council will be given credit, for the contribution, towards its goal.
Charity Contribution Form 2022-2023 - https://www.tkofc.org/download...
Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan Fund - Grants for Retired Priests
Kirby Farek, Chairman
(361) 772-0054 or kirbyfarek@sbcglobal.net
This fund was newly established in 2020 and the fund is named in honor of the late Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan who served the Archdiocese of San Antonio as Auxiliary Bishop from 1998-2005 and the Texas State Council as State Chaplain from 2000-2002. This fund has been established to provide for the care and welfare of those who so faithfully served us and affords grants for our retired priests. The primary way to contribute to this fund is by acquiring and displaying a Texas Knights of Columbus license plate on your vehicle. We are working to gain approval for other direct contribution options for this newly established fund. The funds contributed shall be distributed equally to the fifteen dioceses in Texas each fraternal year.
Cardinal Medeiros Fund
Joe Rodriguez, Chairman
(210) 464-8468 or joerod2929@yahoo.com
The Cardinal Medeiros Trust Fund was established in 1981 and incorporated into the State Council Charities program. Humberto Cardinal Medeiros was the Bishop of Brownsville, Texas from 1966 until 1970. He served as the Texas State Council Chaplain 1969-1970. He was named the Archbishop of Boston on September 8, 1970 and created a Cardinal on March 5, 1973. The Cardinal Medeiros Fellow Program was started in 1998 to increase the principal in the trust fund. A Cardinal Medeiros Fellow may be ordered for a Knight of Columbus or for a Knight’s wife. Additionally, it may be ordered in memory of a deceased Knight or for a deceased Knight’s wife. With a contribution of $1,000, the honoree is awarded a plaque, a lapel pin and their name is engraved on the Honor Roll which is on display at the State Council Office. The Honor Roll is further displayed each year at the Texas State Council Convention.
Special Olympics
Chris Hoefer, Chairman
(903) 736-5309 or choe6482@aol.com
The mission of Special Olympics Texas is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
“LET ME WIN, BUT IF I CANNOT WIN, LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT”
Texas State Council / State Council Charities EMERGENCY RESPONSE
When a disaster or emergency occurs affecting a community in Texas, served by the Knights of Columbus, the State office and the Emergency Response Coordinators (ERC) will reach out to the Diocesan Deputies, District Deputies and Grand Knights, in the affected areas, to determine the severity of the disaster and to provide guidance and assistance. Depending on the level of need, the Texas State Council’s response will follow a graduated response scenario.