Orlando, May 24 – The Florida State Council of the Knights of Columbus named three councils as Council of the Year in their respective divisions at the fraternal organization’s annual convention here on Saturday. Because of state and Center for Disease Control (CDC) CoVID-19 guidelines, the convention was conducted via live-streaming on Facebook and YouTube.
The Division 1 winner with less than 75 members was San Isidro Council 16980 of Pompano Beach.
The Division 2 winner with between 75 and 150 members was San Patricio Council 13654 of Miami Beach.
Taking the top award in Division 3 for councils with more than 150 members was Our Lady of Hope Council 8086 of Port Orange.
Each year, the Florida State Council selects the councils of the year based on the councils’ scores in the areas of membership growth, charitable giving and service programs. Councils obtaining the highest composite score in their respective divisions and then named Council of the Year.
Only in its second year of existence, the Pompano Beach-based San Isidro Council 16980, under the leadership of Grand Knight Romulo Barbera, achieved a membership growth of 28 members.
The council raised funds to support the San Isidro Catholic Church’s RCIA religious education program, donated more than 1,200 lbs. of food for the Food for Families program, supported seminarians and vocations to the religious life, and promoted the Bible Placement Program. The council took first place in its division in the Faith Activities, Vocations Support and Publicity Activities categories.
Division 2 Council of the Year, San Patricio Council 13654 in Miami Beach achieved 600 per cent of their membership quota. The council took first place in its division in Faith Activities, Family Activities, Newsletter and Publicity Activities categories.
Under the leadership of Grand Knight Manuel Magaldi, the council hosted Family Rosaries and monthly Corporate Masses, financially supported a seminarian and the regional seminary, raised funds and helped other councils raise funds for intellectually challenged individuals through the Tootsie Roll drive and the Food for Families program.
Our Lady of Hope Council 8086 in Port Orange took the top honors in Division 3 under the leadership of Grand Knight James Waggoner. The council took first place awards in five categories, including Community, Life and Publicity Activities, as well as State Service Program Awards in Faith and Community.
The council strongly supported the Florida State Charities program and achieved 100 per cent of their membership goal, a significant achievement for a council with more than 300 members.
Council awards are based on individual council’s applications for awards in membership, charitable giving and service programs for the period April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020.
