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KOVAR April 15-18, 2010... This information is for our many new members who have joined our council in the past year as well as to update our veteran members. It helps to understand “how” and “why” we give away tootsie rolls to solicit funds to help citizens with intellectual disabilities during our KOVAR fund drive each year.

When we hear the name of certain organizations, we tend to immediately identify them with what they stand for and their main service project. For example, we may identify MASONS with raising funds to build and maintain hospitals for crippled children. JAYCEES may be identified with selling fruit to raise funds for recreation camps for those with intellectual disabilities and or we may identify LIONS with the blind.

Knights of Columbus councils, for many, many years have been donating to various charities, including those assisting people with intellectual disabilities. In the last few years the Knights of Columbus in many states within the Union have followed the Knights of Virginia and have adopted helping citizens with intellectual disabilities as their major service project.

More and more people in Virginia and throughout the United States are coming to identify the Knights of Columbus not only with charity, fraternity, unity, and patriotism but also with helping citizens with intellectual disabilities. In the state of Virginia, the Knights are the second largest contributor to this worthy cause, State Government being the largest contributor. All over this great country of ours, Knights don bright yellow aprons blazoned across the front and back, “HELP CITIZENS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES – KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS”. More than not, a Knight will contribute two hours of his time standing in front of the store handing out tootsie rolls and collect contributions to aid those with intellectual disabilities. People usually respond generously.

Among many other things, to be a good Knight is to serve worthy causes sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Knights have long wanted a national project that associates them with a worthy cause. We now have it in the tootsie roll drive to raise funds to assist citizens with intellectual disabilities. Like those in other service organizations, we have a cause with which our members can be proud to be associated. Will you do your part to support Knights of Virginia Assisting Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities?

Brothers, KOVAR time approaches. KOVAR weekend is April 15 through 18, Thursday through Sunday. Quoting from the Higher Authority – “That which you do for the least of my brethren you do unto me…” We are asking you to participate. We are not asking for money, but we are asking for your time (2 hours or more if you’re willing).

We can promise you a most heart-warming experience for your efforts knowing that our success ensures that the winners are the citizens with intellectual disabilities. Surely, they deserve our best efforts.

With the state’s budget cuts, our efforts are needed more than ever. Please reserve some time for KOVAR weekend and respond affirmatively to the station captain when you get the call for help.

In that regard, I need four (4) Knights to step forward to serve as station captains for the Giant supermarket at Hedges Run, two Safeway supermarkets, both at Merchant Plaza and Tackett’s Mill and the ABC store at Merchant Plaza. This additional effort requires a little more time but still not difficult. For example, the station captain will be given a list of names to call; he will monitor the station, provide the aprons and canisters to his station’s volunteers, collect and count the money periodically, then lastly return the collections to me.

In closing, I ask that you please consider this truly needed ministry in any way that you can.

Fraternally yours,

Vin Donahue,

KOVAR Chairman

703-494-9940

vindonahue@verizon.net