By: PD 6694 - Sun, Feb 18, 2024 7:44 PM

For the second year in a row, Swartz Creek Council #6694 provided coats to Helping Hands Ukraine, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Rochester, MI. The organization provides items of need to Ukrainian soldiers and the children who have lost their parents because of the war and now reside in Ukrainian orphanages.

 

Since first learning of this organization a year ago, Council 6694 has had great interest in supporting their endeavors. This year the council again donated coats (34) from those still on hand from their recent Coats for Kids initiative, led by PGK Wayne DeShano.

These pictures are just a few of the children who received coats and it is clear the joy it brought them. It truly warms the heart to help these innocent children who are enduring the atrocities of war.

 

By: GK 6694 - Wed, Nov 29, 2023 10:42 AM

On Monday, November 27th, District Deputy 504 Dan Cross, had the honor of presenting this well-deserved award to PGK Michael Trundle.

By: MD 6694 - Sun, Nov 5, 2023 4:04 PM

Grand Knight, Lance Wildman, reports that a recent Knights of Columbus sponsored “Family Fun Fundraiser,” to help the Diocese of Gumla (India), raised $7,062. The Diocese of Gumla is the home diocese of Father Louis Ekka, pastor of St. Mary Queen of Angels parish in Swartz Creek, Michigan. There are thirty-nine parishes and thirty-nine schools in this diocese and the funds raised will go a long way in support of their projects.

The event took place in the St. Mary’s parish hall with over ninety-two people in attendance. There were family fun games and a meal enjoyed by all. Additionally, a 50-50 raffle was held, and two beautiful baskets and a wall plaque were also raffled. Most of the funds raised were the result of freewill offerings from a very generous parish family and friends from a neighboring parish as well.

The participation and response to this event was inspiring and a testament to the principle of charity. Swartz Creek Council 6694 is incredibly pleased with this outcome and the outpouring of love and support shown for Father Louis.

By: Ken Warzybok - Mon, Jul 31, 2023 10:38 AM

By: Gary Merritt - Tue, Apr 25, 2023 9:17 PM

On Monday, April 24th, Swartz Creek Council #6694 presented checks to both The Luke Project 52 Clinic of Flint and the Pregnancy Help Clinic. 

Throughout the month of February, the council held a "Baby Bottle Drive" (an ASAP initiative) which was well received and generously supported by the parish family of St. Mary Queen of Angels, Swartz Creek. The council and parish believe in the wonderful work these organizations provide for mothers and babies who are in need and, as such, they were able to raise over $3486 in a single month! The council was pleased, therefore, to contribute $1743 to each of these most worthy of organizations.

Pictured: Grand Knight Michael Trundle with Pastor Brad Garrison of The Luke Project 52 Clinic of Flint and with Shari Boley, Executive Director of the Pregnancy Help Clinic, and Eva Graham, Director of the Flint Center.

Michael Trundle, Grand Knight

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Jan 16, 2023 11:01 PM

On Monday January 16,2023  Swartz Creek Council #6694 donated over 50 winter coats to "Helping Hands Ukraine." 

This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Rochester, MI, that provides items of need to both the Ukrainian soldiers and the children who have lost their parents and now reside in Ukrainian orphanages. Our council learned of this organization through a fellow St. Mary Queen of Angels parishioner who believed in their cause and reached out to see if we had any coats remaining from our recent "Coats for Kids" program that we might consider donating.

Pictured (L-R): GK Mike Trundle, Joe Niedzwiecki, PGK Jim Drummond, PGK Bob Kranz, PGK Wayne DeShano, DGK Lance Wildman, Luci Kent (parishioner), Iliana (Helping Hands Ukraine), and their dog Archie.

When learning of the great work this organization does, our council was in full support and believed it would be a wonderful use for the coats we still had on hand. As such, representatives of "Helping Hands Ukraine," Oleg and Iliana, met with us this date to accept the coats donated on behalf of our council. They were most appreciative and very grateful for our interest and support.

For more information on "Helping Hands Ukraine," please visit -  www.helpinghandsua.org.

By: Gary Merritt - Mon, Oct 3, 2022 5:50 PM

Swartz Creek Council # 6694 recently conducted a “Reverse Collection” as a means to obtain baby items and cash contributions for a local Pregnancy Resource Center, Heartbeat of Greater Flint.  Following communion at each of the weekend masses on September 10^th / 11^th our brothers distributed collection baskets containing slips of paper indicating various items of need as presented to us by the Pregnancy Resource Center.  Those interested in participating were encouraged to take one or more of these slips and the following weekend, September 17^th / 18^th, bring the item or items with them when returning to church.  We had a playpen set up in which the items could be placed and a Knight standing by to help direct if needed.  All of this was explained in pulpit and bulletin announcements the week prior to implementation.

Historically, we had used the “Reverse Collections” with great success to obtain food for our local food pantry.  As such, we thought it might be effective in support of Pregnancy Resource Centers as well, and the result proved that to be true.  The response from the parishioners of St. Mary Queen of Angels Swartz Creek was overwhelming with contributions of baby products and money exceeding $2650 in value!  We are blessed with a generous, caring, and supportive parish family; a group of individuals who are genuinely interested in our shared concern for mothers and babies who are in need, not solely during the pregnancy but beyond as well.  We are extremely grateful, for we recognize that they are the reason for our incredible success with program initiatives such as this. 

 The items collected were inventoried and then delivered to Heartbeat of Greater Flint on Wednesday, September 26^th.  Pictured are Past Grand Knights Ken Lixey, Bob Kranz, and Jim Drummond with current Grand Knight / ASAP Program Director, Mike Trundle as they present the items to Heartbeat of Greater Flint.  Additional picture is of most of the items that were generously donated for this cause.

Vivat Jesus!

Mike Trundle, Grand Knight

By: Gary Merritt - Sun, May 29, 2022 9:34 AM

Swartz Creek Council 6694 held a "Baby Bottle Drive" during the month of March for the purpose of raising money in support of local Pregnancy Resource Centers.  Our council is steadfast in our belief that all life is to be valued and we are committed to doing our part in protecting those who are most vulnerable. 

We recognize, however, that we are only able to do these good works with the interest and participation of others.  We are blessed with a very giving parish family at St. Mary Queen of Angels (Swartz Creek), and because of their generous support in addition to that of family, friends & faculty of St. Thomas More Academy (Burton, MI) we were able to raise over $5600!

We were pleasantly surprised and extremely excited by this outcome. It proves that there are many who also share in our values and our commitment to protect life.  We are most grateful for the tremendous support received and trust that it will make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

On Monday, May 23rd, we distributed the proceeds of this initiative with a visit to both The Luke Project 52 Clinic of Flint and The Flint Pregnancy Help Clinic, presenting each a check in support of their incredible work for mothers in need.  Though unable to visit, we presented a 3rd check to Heartbeat of Greater Flint as well. It was a wonderful day, very inspiring and uplifting to see all that these facilities offer and to hear the stories of their success.  We hope to continue supporting their good work in years to come.

The Flint Pregnancy Help Clinic - Shari Boley, Executive Director; Dr, Yvette Frownfelter; Aaron Survance, Flint Center Director; Mike Trundle, GK; Lance Wildman, DGK The Luke Project 52 Clinic of Flint - Brad Garrison, Executive Director; Mike Trundle, GK. Present by not pictured: Bob Kranz, Chancellor; Jim Drummond, Advocate