Giving by Illinois second highest among U.S. states

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — As Catholics throughout the United States prepare for Pope Francis' visit this summer, the Knights of Columbus has been preparing in a special way, with record-setting charity.

Illinois

With Illinois helping to lead the way, the K. of C. set a new record in 2014 for charitable donations and service hours with $173,550,680 in donations and more than 71.5 million hours of service. Illinois Knights raised more than $7.8 million and over 3 million hours of service. Illinois' donations were second only to Texas with hours of service the fourth highest total among U.S. states.

Closer to home

Highland Knights of Columbus Council 1580 is one of the most active in the Springfield diocese, according to Chancellor Bill Napper. The 2014 accomplishments and donations included:

• Donated $11,500 to Springfield diocesan seminarians;
• Donated $2,500 to Springfield diocese's Office of Vocations for seminarian education;
• Donated $2,000 to Bishop's Office for Springfield diocesan activities;
• Donated $3,000 to Relevant Pregnancy Options Center;
• Donated $1,900 to Father McGivney Catholic High School for construction of altar at FMCHS Chapel;
• Pledged $5,000 to FMCHS over five years to construct new school building;
• Pledged $5,000 to Mater Dei Catholic High School, Breese over five years for capital campaign;
• Pledged $5,000 to St. Joseph's Hospital, Highland over five years to construct hospital;
• Donated $4,000 to Elijah Daley family to provide necessary physical therapy support to two twin children with multiple severe disabilities;
• Donated funds for families in need during the Christmas holiday;
• Donated $500 to St. Vincent DePaul organization;
• Sponsored Disability Awareness Day at Madison County Fair with free food, rides and entertainment;
• Supported other local organizations including St. Paul Church, Vitae Foundation, Holy Cross Mission, Boy Scouts of America, Coats for Kids, Camp Ondessonk, Illinois Center for Autism, Illinois Special Olympics and National Alliance on Mental Illness, and;
• Met Pro-Life, Vocations, Newman and General Disaster support goals for fraternal year.

National and worldwide

Service hours contributed by members rose last year by more than a million hours over 2013 with each member donating nearly a full work week on average.

"Charity has been at the heart of the Knights' mission for the past 133 years," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "In America, Pope Francis will find a church that is alive with the love of God and love of neighbor, and the K. of C. are excellent examples of this reality."

According to the K. of C.'s Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity for the year ending Dec. 31, 2014, donations worldwide grew by more than $3.4 million over 2013, achieving an increase in giving for the 15th consecutive year.

Among its major donations in 2014, the K. of C. made a gift of $1.4 million to directly support athletes who will take part in this summer's Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The funds will cover the cost of transportation, housing and meals for the athletes as they travel to the games, stay there during the competition, and return home.

Another unique initiative in 2014 was the Knights of Columbus Christian Refugee Relief Fund, which has contributed $2.6 million for humanitarian assistance to those suffering persecution and dislocation in Iraq and the surrounding region.

"It has shocked the conscience of the world that people are systematically being purged from the region where their families have lived for millennia — simply for their faith," said Anderson at the program's inception in August. "It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with them."

Gifts by the Knights of $200,000 each were also made to the Greek and Latin Rite Catholic communities of war-torn Ukraine for humanitarian relief, supporting projects that feed and aid homeless children and refugees living on the streets of the capital city of Kiev.

The Knights continued to support their local communities in 2014 through such programs as the Black Friday Coats for Kids program, Food for Families and blood drives. Knights also gave assistance to such organizations as Habitat for Humanity and the American Wheelchair Mission.

During the past decade the K. of C. has donated nearly $1.55 billion to charity and 691 million hours of volunteer service in support of charitable initiatives.

The K. of C. was founded by Venerable Servant of God Father Michael McGivney, a New Haven parish priest, in 1882. The organization was formed to provide charitable outreach and care for the financial well-being of Catholic families, focusing on the protection of widows and orphans, and on strengthening the faith of its members. It has grown to include 1.8 million members throughout North and Central America, the Philippines, the Caribbean and Europe.

Contributing was Bill Napper, K. of C. Council 1580, Highland and Scott Mulford, editor, who can be contacted at .