CHARLOTTE — For the fifth consecutive year, thanks to the generosity of volunteers and parishioners from St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, including members of their Knights of Columbus Council, many children in the community received new bikes this Christmas.
Operation Bikes is part of Operation Santa’s Helpers, which was begun 30 years ago by long time Special Olympics volunteer “Santa” Bob Bowler as a Christmas special needs program.
A committee headed by longtime St. John Neumann members John CasaSanta and Mike Horeth received donations to purchase 163 bikes from the Wal-Mart at the Galleria on North Sardis Road during the store’s Black Friday special.
They were distributed to children from Our Lady of Consolation and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes as well as several local schools by “Santa’s Helpers” Brian and Matt Allio, Bill Edelen, Cindy Satink, John Streitman, Don Zaron, Dave Adams, Mike Munao and Robert Gregory.
— Photo provided by Al Tinson and Marty Schneider
HUNTERSVILLE — The Monsignor Joseph Kerin Knights of Columbus Council distributed Christmas trees to St. Mark parishioners in Huntersville Dec. 7.
The annual event is held each first Saturday in December, and parishioners can order freshly-cut Christmas trees and wreaths.
The event was preceded Friday evening with a blessing of the trees offered by St. Mark’s pastor, Father John Putnam. The proceeds from the tree sales go towards the Knights council and their charitable efforts.
— Mike FitzGerald | Catholic News Herald