The St. Peter Claver Knights of Columbus have raised more than $140,ooo in support of St. Agnes Home in West Hartford.

Submitted by Moe Fradette, Knights of Columbus

L-R: Pat Phalon, Birdies for Babies Co-Chairman; Lorna Little, Executive Director St. Agnes Home; Phil Prespare, Birdies for Babies Co-Chairman. Submitted photo

The St. Peter Claver Knights of Columbus, Council 10817, were recognized for their charitable work at the Centennial Celebration of St. Agnes Home. The celebration, held Oct. 18, 2014, at the Hartford Marriott, recognized the Knights for their tireless efforts in raising more than $140,000 in support of St. Agnes Home.

Lorna Little, Executive Director of St. Agnes Home said, “The Knights’ support allowed them to renovate our kitchen, replace the building generator, replace the cribs, and create a storeroom for bulk purchases.” Phil Prespare and Pat Phalon, Chairmen of the Birdies for Babies annual golf tournament, received recognition for the Knights’ efforts with the golf tournament which raised more than $24,000 this year.

The initial effort of the Knights began with a “Bottles for Babies” campaign, where parishioners of St. Peter Claver Church were given a large plastic baby bottle to collect loose change over a period of several months. The support of St. Peter Claver parishioners was overwhelming and the initial campaign generated more than $12,000 in donations.

In 2011, the Knights held their first “Birdies for Babies” golf tournament at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford. This annual event has raised more than $81,000 in support of St. Agnes Home. Grand Knight Robert Cerciello stated, “The support of the St. Peter Claver and West Hartford communities has enabled the Knights to exceed their goal and we thank all who have supported our efforts.”

In 2014 St. Agnes Home celebrated its Centennial Celebration (1914-2014). Lorna Little, St. Agnes Home Executive Director, stated, “As we move forward with our second century of service to young mothers and children, we are greatly appreciative to the St. Peter Claver Knights of Columbus for all their efforts in support of St. Agnes Home.”

The Knights of Columbus was founded as a fraternal benefit society at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven in 1882. The organization counts more than 1.8 million members worldwide and last year Knights donated more than $167 million and 70 million hours to charitable causes.  Council 10817 has been chartered since the early 1990’s, and supports many charitable and service projects for the church and community in addition to their support of St. Agnes Home.