The North Branch Knights of Columbus Council # 9568 donate to different charities throughout the year based upon their needs and our ability to provide funding and support. Listed below are just some of the charities that we sponsor and events that we participate in annually.
Family Activities:
Annual Golf Outing
The Knights of Columbus sponsor an annual golf outing early in June as a fund raising activity. The Knights along with their families participate. This is a great way to meet fellow knights, neighbors and make new friends.
Feather Bingo
The Altar Society and the Knights co-sponsor an annual bingo night. This fundraising activity usually takes place in the fall near the early part of November. It is open to the entire family and the winners receive great prizes .
Annual Christmas Party
The Knights sponsor an annual Christmas Party for member knights and their families. The festivities include a great dinner, entertainment, and a visit by Santa Claus when he is in the area. Adults and children always have a great time.
Christmas Baskets
Every year area churches select local families in need to receive Christmas baskets. The Knights and their families create the baskets and fill them with Christmas goodies. This is a great opportunity for entire families to work together to help area families.
Faith Formation Christmas Party
The Knights host a Christmas party for all children in the FF program in Keenan Hall. Hotdogs (red hots or dog hots), chips and beverages are part of the typical menu. Everyone always leaves with a full stomach and a happy smile.
Cabin Fever Bingo
To help ease the monotony of winter, the Knights along with the Altar Society sponsor and prizes for a bingo night. This fun event is open to the entire family and held in late February or early March.
Youth Activities:
Future Developers of America Award Program
The program honors the young people in the area. Young people are identified who have a positive focus on life and the future, make the community a better place to live and have the potential to be valuable citizens.The ceremony takes place at the beginning of the regular Knights meeting. Family and friends are invited to attend the ceremony.
Poster Contest
The Knights in cooperation with the Parish Cluster Faith Formation program sponsor a poster contest. All entrants receive a participation certificate and prizes are awarded for 1st and 2nd place according to age categories.
Essay Contest
To challenge the minds of our youth, the Knights, working with the Parish Cluster Faith Formation program sponsor an essay contest. The contest normally takes place in the fall. Certificates are given to all that participate; special certificates and money are given to winners of the contest.
Free Throw Contest
Generally held in January, the Knights sponsor a basketball free throw contest for young people ages 9 through 14. The contest takes place in a gym at the North Branch Schools. All the participants receive a certificate, and the winners in each age group receive a trophy and are eligible to advance to the State Level competition.
Scholarship Fund
The Knights work with the North Branch School District to offer Catholic seniors the opportunity to apply for The Susan Gormley Scholarship. Two or three scholarships are granted by a committee of Knights who review the applications and select the winners.
Religious Activities:
May Crowning
During the month of May, the Knights co-sponsor with the Altar Society the activities associated with the May Crowning. The activities begin at the Statue of Mary in front of the SS Peter and Paul church in North Branch.
Corporate Communion
The Knights and their families participate in corporate communion during the months of the year which generally have five weekends. During those activities, the Knights assist Father with mass when possible and the Fourth Degree Color Corps participates. There may be a light luncheon after mass at Keenen Hall sponsored by the Knights.
Rosary for the Deceased Knights
For a deceased Knight or a family member on request, the Knights assemble and lead the Rosary. The Knights and families who are participating share in the praying of the Rosary.
Mass for the Deceased Knights
In 1999, the Knights initiated the first of continued annual masses for the deceased Knights of North Branch Council #9568. The Knights assist Father with the mass. After the mass, a social gatherings is held at Keenan Hall.
Regular Knight Activities The Knights participate in a number of activities primarily for the men; however, we have been fortunate in our North Branch council to have our wives, children and friends participate and help.
Adopt-a-Highway Program
The Knights are responsible for cleaning a two mile section of state highway on M-90 from Lake Pleasant Rd east two miles. This often turns out to be a great family project.
Euchre Parties for Vocations and Scholarship funds
To help support Religious Vocations and Youth Scholarships, the Knights sponsor euchre parties. The activities are held at Keenan Hall.
Fourth of July Float
Each year the Knights participate in the North Branch Fourth of July celebration by entering a float in the parade. The Knight of the Year and the Family of the Year is also celebrated during this activity and are invited to ride on the float.
Grave Blankets
As one of the Knight’s fundraisers, they construct 50+ grave blankets a year for the North Branch area residents. The process begins late in October with the collection of Evergreen boughs and cones. It continues in the church barn during early November with the actual building of the blankets. The finished blankets are just beautiful. This project requires the skill of all genders.
Veterans Day Activities
During the month of November, the Knights take time out to remember the Veterans of Wars and Conflicts who are patients in hospitals across the state of Michigan. Although the activity varies, we occasionally have Thank You cards signed by the North Branch parishioners and sent to the hospitals for circulation.
Tootsie Roll Drive
Better known as the M.I. Drive, every year on Palm Sunday weekend the Knights with the assistance of their families pass out tootsie rolls. The proceeds from this effort go to assist the mentally impaired with 90% of the funds going to local designations and the balance going statewide.
Church Decorating for Christmas
The Knights in conjunction with the Altar Society decorate the church for Christmas. This occurs near the end of November. After the Christmas holidays the decorations are taken down and stored until the next year.
Lady’s Night Out
Beginning in 2000, the Knights held their first annual Lady’s Night Out. This night is intended to recognize the Lady Knights for all they have done during the year to assist the North Branch council. Just like the old saying says, behind every good man is a good woman; behind every good Knight is a good Lady Knight! We honor our dedicated wives with a special evening planned just for them.
Fall Festival 50/50 and Prize Raffle
To help raise funds for the various activities and charities of the Knights of Columbus, a raffle is held by the Knights during the Fall Festival. The Lady Knights and Knights work together at the activity. The raffle consists of a 50/50 drawing, and a raffle for prizes donated by the Knights, friends, and family.
Casino Getaway
The Knights started offering Casino trips in March of 2000. The trip is both a fun getaway and a fundraiser. It has been so successful that it has remained one of our regular activities. Due to its popularity, two trips a year are scheduled and sometimes additional transportation is required.
Excellence in Service Award
There are a large number of people that either volunteer their services or spend a better part of their lives servicing the community, various organizations and individuals. The Knights of Columbus feel that it is important to recognize individuals for their extraordinary efforts. To that end, the Knights have implemented an “Excellence in Service” recognition program. Selected individuals are recognized and given a certificate and lapel pin. The ceremony takes place at the beginning of one of the regular meetings. Family and friends are invited to attend.
Family Breakfast
Since 2001, the Knights of Columbus have been sponsoring an annual breakfast for parish families recognizing them for doing a super job in supporting the Knights of Columbus activities throughout the year. A good time is always had all.
Even More Activities
Installing wheelchair ramps
Installing and/or patching roofs
Installing and fixing cemetery fences
Minor and major repair of church, rectory and hall facilities