COVID-19 certainly changed the normal events for the Surprise Knights of Columbus — no golf tournament, no rummage sale with the guild, no helping Arizona Special Olympics, and no Tootsie Roll Drive for the physically and/or intellectually handicapped.

When the night shift ICU Unit at Banner got so overwhelmed with coronavirus patients to the point that they could not take their normal dinner breaks — the Knights provided dinners 1st in July and again in November and December — providing more than 50 meals for the night shift for about 25 doctors and nurses.

During the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Knights prepared and delivered “snack bags” for the swing and night shifts of the Surprise Police Department; about 50 officers.

The group was able to provide our “Coats for Kids” program in December/January. Providing over 70 winter coats to children – some identified by Saint Vincent de Paul and children at the St. Michaels Indian Schools — one in South Dakota and one here in Arizona on the Navajo Reservation.

Donations were made to St. Clare’s Mortgage Reduction Fund, Choices Pregnancy Center and Maggie’s House (housing and support home for pregnant women).