St. Mary of the Hills Council 13950 Honored with International Life Program Award for Blessed McGivney Field!
- Mon, Aug 4, 2025 8:19 PM
The Michigan Knights of Columbus State Council proudly congratulates St. Mary of the Hills Council 13950 for receiving the prestigious International Life Program Award at the Supreme Convention. This accolade recognizes the Council’s extraordinary efforts in leading the Special Olympics Initiative, culminating in the construction and dedication of the Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney Field, an A.D.A.-compliant baseball field for the Clinton Valley Little League Challenger Division Senior League.
An introductary video featuring the program was featured at the Supreme Council Awards Presentation: Knights of Columbus Unveil Special Needs Baseball Field
The Special Olympics Initiative, a Faith in Action Life Program, was spearheaded by Council 13950 under the leadership of Program Director Ken Dumais and Grand Knight Tom Schenk. The project raised $65,000 to build a new baseball field at Neil Reid Park in Clinton Township, Michigan, designed to serve developmentally challenged athletes aged 16 and older. This field, named in honor of Knights of Columbus founder Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney, is the first in Michigan and the United States to bear his name, symbolizing the order’s commitment to charity, unity, and fraternity.
The initiative overcame significant challenges, including a revised cost estimate of $250,000 due to material shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through persistent fundraising efforts, including a direct mail campaign to councils across the Archdiocese of Detroit, 43 councils—representing 30% of the archdiocese—contributed to the cause. This remarkable collaboration surpassed the initial fundraising goal of $75,000, building on the council’s legacy of support for the Challenger Division, which began with raising $14,000 in 2008 for the Norm Hott Field.
The Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney Field was dedicated on June 15, 2024, in a ceremony attended by 40% of the contributing councils, representatives from eight Color Corps Assemblies, and dignitaries including Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. Fisher, Fr. Christopher Muer, and Fr. Stan Ulman. The event featured a blessing with holy water from Lourdes, France, a raffle raising $200 for league equipment, and an opening pitch thrown by Brother Knight Dan Guilbert of St. Isidore Council 7200. The celebration underscored the therapeutic and social benefits of the Challenger Division, giving athletes with special needs the opportunity to experience the joy of baseball and feel “normal,” as expressed by one player.
This initiative not only strengthened ties between the Knights of Columbus, the Clinton Valley Little League, and the Community Parks and Recreation Department but also increased public awareness of the order’s mission. The Michigan State Council commends Council 13950 for embodying the principles of “Faith, Hope, and Love” and setting a replicable model for community service within the Knights of Columbus.
