Published July 23. 2016 09:01AM
The Damien Council 598, Knights of Columbus of Jim Thorpe, raised over $5,000 to help a shelter in the Bethlehem area.
On Thursday, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Carl Burghardt of the Damien Council 598, Jim Thorpe, along with fellow members, presented Christine Duddy, outreach coordinator of Mary's Shelter in Bethlehem, with a check for $5,500.The money was raised by parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul Church in Lehighton, and Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph's churches in Jim Thorpe through the Knights of Columbus' baby bottle campaign. The fundraiser was held between Mother's Day and Father's Day.Parishioners were asked to fill baby bottles with change during that period to help Mary's Shelter, a nonprofit organization that provides both residential and nonresidential services for disadvantaged pregnant women, as well as women with newborns in need of a supportive environment because of a lack of suitable housing or a favorable family relationship.The staff at Mary's Shelter was overjoyed by the community's response and thanked everyone for their support.
Members of Damien Council 598, Knights of Columbus of Jim Thorpe recently presented Mary's Shelter in Bethlehem with a check for $5,500 from a recent baby bottle campaign held by the group earlier this year. From left are Knights of Columbus treasurer Thomas R. Brogan, Miguel Gonzales, John Bradley, Mike Gonzales, Steven Sofranko, Damien Council Grand Knight Carl Burghardt, chancellor David Bradley, Deputy Grand Knight Francis O'Donnell and Christine Duddy, outreach coordinator of Mary's Shelter. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SARAH BRADLEY