Grand Knight's Report December 2016- WGK Greg Villard

Worthy Brother Knights:
     It has s been another busy month for our Council.  
I appreciate everyone's continued support for all our Council's activities. 
November is our annually scheduled month to serve coffee, donuts, and juices for the Parish in Prendergast Hall.  Thanks go to all of the Knights who helped out in this activity after the Sunday Masses this past month of November. A special thanks to PGK Ed Dondero, who came early to set things up!
     
Well, we did it again!  Our Council cooked a delicious turkey and ham dinner for our Brothers and their families as well as Santa Sophia Parishioners following the Parish's Lessons and Carols service last Sunday.  Special thanks go to Paul Michael, who chaired this event, and Jim and Rose Maasch, who spent so many hours shopping, cooking, serving, cleaning up to make this dinner happen.  Also assisting were Shawn Reidy, Ed Reidy, Gary Glen, Erick Drake, Vince Garra, Andre Cleveland, Bobby Schaefer, Ed Dondero, Greg Villard, Leo McGarry, Mike Butera, Jack Crutchfield, Pat Esquibel, Bill Kelly, John Martin, Harry Blanchard, and Paul Melcher as well as Knight's spouses Liz Reidy and P.J. Dondero.   
      Our Council assisted in Common Grounds 
Bikes 4 Kids project in which 200 bikes were assembled for needy children at two elementary schools in Spring Valley. Helping to assemble bikes this year's event were Erick Drake (event chairman), Andre Cleveland, Scott Kleinhesselink,Gary Glenn, Paul Michael, Harry Blanchard, and Greg Villard. Great job Brothers!
     
      Our annual Epiphany party will be held on Sunday afternoon, January 8.  Brother Jerry Kay and his wife Pam have graciously offered to host this year's Knights family get together. 
     
   On Saturday, January 7th, our Council will be traveling to Tecate to serve lunch for the boys, sisters, and workers at the orphanage.  Anyone interested in assisting in this worthwhile and rewarding endeavor or wishing to donate clothes, supplies, bedding, or Christmas gifts to the boys, should contact Ed Reidy, Tecate Outreach program chairman, or sign-up on the Knights website.
     
        The Knights will be hosting our annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 18th.Please contact Ed Reidy, event chairman, or me if you are interested in serving on the Sweetheart Dinner Dance planning committee.  The next committee meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the DeMoor room prior to tonight's   general business meeting.  
        If you haven't purchased your Christmas cards yet, please see Brother Jack Crutchfield, who will be selling religious Christmas cards for our Council in the Hall after the Sunday Masses this weekend.
     
       We have recently purchased and received a dozen coats as part of the national Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program.  Andre Cleveland is chairing this activity and is currently in the process of distributing these coats to needy children at La Presa Elementary School in Spring Valley.  
      In January, we will resume our Knights on Hikes program with a Saturday morning walk around Lake Murray.   More details about this event as they develop.
     On Saturday, January 21, our Council will again be participating in the annual San Diego Walk for Life in support of the unborn.  I will forward you more details about the time and location of this hike as they become available from the San Diego Chapter.    
     Brother Leo McGarry, our Financial Secretary, has recently mailed out annual membership dues billings.  Please remit your dues for the 2017 year ASAP as well as the 2016 annual survey of fraternal activity form which was included with your membership billing.    
     Brother Andre Cleveland, our recorder, has received a promotion in his job with the US Navy.  As a result, he is scheduled to be transferred out of state in March.  Therefore, we will need to find a replacement for his position of reorder.  If anyone is interested in assuming the responsibilities of recorder after Andre relocates, please contact me.   
     Anyone who has chaired an event so far this Columbian year is encouraged to complete a Service Award form for that event. This form can be downloaded from the homepage of our website and filled online. Completed forms should be given to Leo McGarry or Shawn Reidy.  We anticipate scheduling a service award committee meeting in early January.

 As always, please remember to wear your Knights of Columbus "name plate" to mass. 
Do you know a Catholic Gentleman that is 18 years or older? 
Enrich his life and give him a membership in the Knights. 
Every Knight is a recruiter. 
Let's all continue to work together in the spirit of Fr. Michael J. McGivney with Charity, Unity, and Fraternity!
     If you have not been to a meeting in a while, plan on attending this Thursday and reacquaint yourself with your brothers, and what is currently being planned in your council. I hope to see you next month!

Have a safe and Blessed Merry Christmas and a blessed
New Year!
Vivat Jesus!
 
Greg Villard | Grand Knight | Valle De Oro |
 Council 9332