Knights of Columbus Raises More Than $25,000 to Put Shoes on Feet and Coats on Kids

What started with a donated vehicle and an idea to help local children turned into more than $25,000 for families right here in the Lebanon and Laclede County community!

The Knights of Columbus Council 6871, Pope St. Pius X Council in Lebanon, recently wrapped up its first “Car For A Cause” fundraiser, a three-month effort that brought Knights, parishioners, local businesses and community members together for one purpose: helping children who need it. Led by Brother Jeremy Weaver, the fundraiser centered around a donated vehicle and the sale of 500 raffle tickets. By the time the fundraiser concluded on July 11, every ticket had been sold and more than $25,000 had been raised.

For Council 6871, it was a milestone. It was the first fundraiser of its kind for the council to raise more than $25,000 in just a few short months. But the number itself is only part of the story.

Hundreds of Hours Behind the $25,000

Getting from a donated vehicle to more than $25,000 for local children took a lot of people working behind the scenes. Hundreds of volunteer hours went into the fundraiser through planning, coordinating, promoting the event, selling tickets and simply getting the word out. Brother Knights were joined by parishioners and members of the community who helped turn the idea into a successful fundraiser.

That community support ultimately meant all 500 available raffle tickets were sold. And now, the money raised is coming right back to local children.

New Shoes for Children Across Laclede County

A significant portion of the proceeds will benefit Shoes From The Heart, an organization that provides brand-new shoes to children in need. Through the effort, shoe closets will be available at elementary and middle schools throughout the Laclede County area, giving schools a resource when they recognize a student who needs a new pair of shoes.

For a child, something as simple as having shoes that fit can make a difference in how they walk into school, participate in activities and feel around their classmates. The goal is to make sure that when the need is there, help is close by.

Warm Coats When Winter Arrives

The remaining proceeds will support the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program, which provides new winter coats to children and families who need them. Council 6871 is planning its local Coats for Kids distribution for Saturday, November 7, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lebanon.

Between the two programs, the money raised through Car For A Cause will help provide two of the most basic things a child needs: a good pair of shoes and a warm coat.

A Community Effort From Beginning to End

Council 6871 credits the success of the fundraiser to the generosity of the Lebanon and Laclede County community. People bought tickets, volunteers gave their time, and businesses and community members helped spread the word. A donated vehicle became an opportunity to bring people together, and ultimately, more than $25,000 will now go toward helping children close to home.

For the Knights of Columbus Council 6871, that is exactly what the organization hopes its charitable work can accomplish. The Pope St. Pius X Council remains committed to putting its faith into action through charity, unity, fraternity and service to others.

And after the success of its first Car For A Cause fundraiser, hundreds of local children will feel the result of that service in a very tangible way. Sometimes it will look like a brand-new pair of shoes. Sometimes it will be a warm coat on a cold Missouri morning. But behind each one will be a community that came together to make sure local children have what they need.