The annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Pop Donations for Citizens With Disabilities raised more than $8,000 again this year.

SJPII Council 16492 donated the money to three local organizations and the K of C wheelchair program. Each year Council 16492 members don the familiar yellow vests and solicit money to give to area organizations serving the citizens who need our help.

This year, we gave $2,000 to each of: L’Arche; Camp I Am Special; and Bit of Faith Ranch – three organizations who focus their attention on assisting with a variety of services throughout the area including folks from our parish.

Each year we strive to raise money by asking parish members from SJPII and Our Lady Star of The Sea to drop their money into our containers.

More than 25 Knights and family members participated in the Special Olympics Swim Meet for the St. Johns County SO swim team July 20 in St. Augustine. Members, wives and children of Knights kept time, welcomed the athletes and cheered them on to the finish. Look for more in the Oct. 1 issue of the Council 16492 Newsletter.

Father Rafael prayed over the proposed site of the new church recently and promised the Knights would have a dedicated room on the new campus.

Brother Rich Delgado, right, is presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work while Deputy Grand Knight last fraternal year. Brother Rich filled in admirably while GK Pete Falcone was incapacitated. Thanks Rich.

Father Rafael accepted the $45,000 check from the Knights’ Golf Outing proceeds to go toward the building fund.

Left to right, GK Pete Falcone, Father Rafael and Outing Director Mike Spigelmire. Council 16492 has contributed $105,000 in three years for the new church. The check was presented at the July 9 Council meeting.

In keeping with our mission of Charity, the SJPII Council 16492 annually gives money to Port In The Storm Homeless Youth Center. This year, we were able to give $2,000 to help the organization assist teenagers who need shelter and training. Grand Knight Pete Falcone is pictured with staff members, left to right, Emma Hanson, Carmen Otero, Lindy Deyto and Brett Harwood.

Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County received a $1,000 donation from Council 16492 for their work in building homes for the needy. They have invited our Council to tour their new project at Volusia Woods which will be made up of 36 homes when it is completed. From left to right are, Tom Torretta, Development Director; Pete Falcone, Grand Knight; and Malinda Everson, Executive Director.

The SJPII Knights of Columbus support Food For Families with their monthly Food Drive collected at masses the first weekend of the month. In addition, Council 16492 also contributes $2,000 to the Food Pantry in St. Augustine. In the past 12 months, more than $13,000 worth of food has been donated through parishioners’ kindness. Thank you to all those who helped. Left to right are Pete Falcone, Council 16492 Grand Knight; Will Bennett, Catholic Charities Administrative Manager and Tara Provini, CC Regional Director.

Grand Knight Pete Falcone presents Monsignor Mike Morgan with the annual $4,000 check for church maintenance and upkeep. Each year, as our way of saying thanks for letting us use the church facilities, Council 16492 donates that amount. Thank you to Father Mike, Kim and the entire staff and volunteer group for assisting us in our mission of charity.

Pickleball check-in. Another great Pickleball Veritas tournament run by John Essegian and his team the weekend of April 26-April 28 at the Yards. In the fall, we hope Treaty Park renovations will be completed and we will return to our usual venue. Among the many who helped are, left to right: Brothers Dennis Alderson, Joe De Blase, Steve Miller, John Berry, Ed Sullivan and Paul Posluszny. Thanks to all who filled the volunteer slots.

The Knights of Columbus Council 16492 is where you will find the pot of gold. This picture was shot by Brother Tom Costello from the registration desk at the Pickleball Veritas Tournament the weekend of April 26-28.