“I must give to others not only something that is my own, but my very self; I must be personally present in my gift.” So wrote Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical on charity, Deus Caritas Est. His statement reflects the core of the charitable work of the Knights of Columbus, the giving of ourselves through volunteer service.
Knights and their family members interested in volunteering to assist the Knights of Columbus can do so at any time during the year. Joining does not mean that you need to sacrifice quality time with your family. By volunteering an hour here or an hour there – with your family – can make an enormous difference in your life and in the lives of others.
Whether our council is conducting food drives, working with veterans with disabilities, collecting clothing for needy families, or any other charitable activities, our volunteers, both among members of our council and their families and other groups and people in the community, are the key to success.
For those who volunteer, the commitment is as much as he/she wants it to be. A volunteer’s commitment can be as much as volunteering at two to three (or more) projects throughout the year, or simply purchasing an extra can of food once a week for the council’s food drives.