Virginia Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc

Virginia Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc Report to the 2011 State Annual Meeting April, 2010

Reverend Fathers, Worthy State Deputy Bill McCarthy, Worthy Supreme Representative, State Officers, Former Supreme Director John Barrett, Past State Deputies and Brothers all.

Virginia Knights Of Columbus Charities, Inc. was founded in 1994 for the purpose of carrying out the dreams of Fr. McGivney and the first principle of our Order, Charity that is our greatest virtue. VKCCI awards grants to individuals and families who are in financial distress. These grants provide some of the necessities of life for these individuals when they are in the greatest need for our assistance. We review applications for grant assistance sent to us from the councils in Virginia after the council has reviewed the family situation. Our grant committee reviews the grant and votes on the grant and amount to be given.

As of April 1, 2011 we have awarded a total of 639 grants with a total dollar amount of $956,254. Of those, 639 grant awards 59 grants have been awarded this fraternal year amounting to $96,471 or an average grant of $1,635 per recipient. Once again we have granted more money to those in need than we have taken in donations. As long as there are individuals who have been brought to the attention of or councils, we will continue to provide grant assistance to those in need with your continued financial support and prayers for us to continue the dram of Fr. McGivney.

We get our funding from 5 sources. 1) The board of KOVAR donates funds to VKCCI whereby we can award individual grants to those who have intellectual disabilities and are in need of assistance since KOVAR cannot make grants to individuals. KOVAR also has assisted VKCCI by participating in the Supreme Council Christopher Fund from which we have shared income over the years. I do not want to forget our partnership with KOVAR in continuing the dream of our founder.

2) Our Label Program generates the major source of our funding for the year. When you get your address labels, please consider making a donation to continue Fr. McGivney’s dream. Use your return labels to spread the name of the Knights of Columbus.

3) We also derive funds from donations by the councils of Virginia from the Council Contribution Program which we have been collecting this weekend and we thank you for those contributions. If you have not turned in your checks, please do so today. If you have forgotten your check, you can mail it to Rich Aleksy. In addition to the Council Contribution Program, we are fortunate to get gift donations form the Ladies of Virginia both on the State and local levels. Ladies we are very thankful for those donations.

4) Another source of income is through the Robert D. Neary Award Program. This program is available to any council wishing to recognize a member or someone who has made a contribution in service to or in behalf of the Knights of Columbus. It is an excellent way for a council to recognize those fostering the work of the Knights and that recipient’s name remains on a perpetual list of award winners.

5) The fifth source of income consists of those donations made in memory of a loved one or a friend. What better tribute to someone you love than to help others with a final gift in their name?

In closing, VKCCI wishes to thank state officers and the councils of Virginia for your support through the years. But most of all we wish to thank you the members of the Order who believe in and work to carry out the dreams of Fr. Michael J. McGivney when he founded the Knights of Columbus.

Worth State Deputy that concludes my report on Virginia Knights of Columbus, Inc.

Submitted,

Michael J, Lazzuri President