Thanks to the efforts of Father Michael J. McGivney, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven and some of his parishioners, the Connecticut state legislature on March 29, 1882, officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society.
The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to 15,342 councils and 1.9 million members throughout the United States and globally.
From international charitable partnerships with Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity to our own Food for Families and Coats for Kids projects and other local charities, the opportunity to work together with fellow Knights and their families is virtually endless. In 2016, the Knights of Columbus set a new all-time record for the 18th consecutive year. Their charitable donations increased from $175 million in 2015 to a new total of $177,500,673 in 2016. In addition, they achieved their highest level of charitable service in 2016, volunteering more than 75 million hours of service.
Council 12119 Fuquay-Varina:
The Knights of Columbus council 12119 serves the Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs area. The council has roughly 270 members and is one of the most active councils in the area. The local council is heavily involved in hosting fundraisers to support local charitable organizations, the Church, local teachers, and individuals facing hardship. To make supporting this initiative possible, the Knights of Columbus do a variety of fundraising events including fish frys, baby bottle drives, golf tournaments, talent shows, Tootsie Roll drives, raffles, and their largest fundraising event: Bingo.
For the past 8 years, the Knights of Columbus host Bingo every Thursday at the Saint Bernadette Catholic Church social hall (1005 Wilbon Rd, Fuquay-Varina) from 7 – 9pm. Doors open at 6pm. When the Knights started doing Bingo, they had an average attendance of 50-60 people. As word spread about their Bingo program, they now average about 90 people every week. This includes adults and children, who are welcome to play.
On a typical Thursday night, Bingo attendees cumulatively take home a total of up to $1600 in winnings. During a Super Bingo night, attendees cumulatively take home a total of up to $2500 in winnings. The Knights also make the evening fun by hosting several other games/events throughout the night, such as 50/50 drawings, quickie games, and the “Wheel.” Every third Thursday of the month, they have a wheel that consists of spaces in which prizes are written in. Lucky attendees, whose attendance tickets are drawn, spin the wheel and win the prize they land on. Prizes include Coach handbags, luggage, jewelry, and gift cards. Food and beverages are also available for purchase on Bingo nights from the Knights of Columbus snack bar located inside the Bingo hall.
The Knights of Columbus rely on the community to be able to give and provide support for local charities and people in need. When you support their Bingo program, you are doing so much more than playing Bingo. You provide the Knights of Columbus the support to help others in the community. We appreciate you coming to play Bingo with us and want to thank you for your support for the last eight years!
To join the Knights of Columbus, you have to be a Catholic man of at least 18 years old and in good standing with the Church. For information in membership, or more information on Bingo or seat reservations, please contact Brother Al Munno at (919) 557-7718.
