Knights of Columbus partner with Catholic high schools to distribute coats for kids

FALL RIVER, Mass – Jennifer Linehan, Director of Campus Ministry for Bishop Connolly, eagerly anticipates the arrival of 700 coats in Fall River to support the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program. Donna McDougal, Bishop Stang National Honor Society Coordinator, also awaits a similar number of coats to arrive onto campus in Dartmouth. And, similar to last year, Mike Cote, Director of the Coyle and Cassidy food pantry, gets ready for his shipment of 700 coats in Taunton.

These three high schools, all in the Diocese of Fall River, are partnering with the Knights of Columbus to distribute up to 2100 coats to deserving children in our communities. The schools provide the facilities and student volunteers to ensure that every child has a chance to obtain the coat of their choice. All coats are new and were purchased through the generous donations of parishioners at St. Mary’s parishes in Mansfield and Norton and their respective Knights of Columbus councils. Interested donors can contribute to The Ben Cavallo, Coats for Kids Fund (George C. Shields Council 420) to support this ongoing program.

Brian J. Healy, Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids Program Chairman of the George C. Shields Council 420 in Mansfield indicates, “We piloted this program last year at the Coyle and Cassidy food pantry and it was a resounding success. This year, our goal was to expand the distribution so that more families have access to new coats without the need to drive a long distance. With the early onset of cold temperatures, this program is coming at an opportune time.”

“This generous program is such a blessing to our community, and we hope to do all we can to ensure people know these coats are available,” according to Susan Mazzarella, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Fall River. “This program is a wonderful opportunity for families to obtain a new warm coat and we encourage all in need to seek out one of these schools on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to noon.”

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha will be at the Bishop Stang location around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, to assist with the distribution of coats and to highlight the needs of people in our local communities. Anyone in need of a coat, from child size four to teen sizes, can stop by one of the three Catholic High Schools between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Bishop Stang High School, 500 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth

Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree St., Fall River

Coyle and Cassidy High School, 2 Hamilton St., Taunton

Last year the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program distributed 117,264 new coats throughout North America to deserving children in need of a warm winter coat.

For more information, please contact Brian Healy at 508-942-7751 or email him at brianjhealy@aol.com.