Knights in the News

Blood Drive
On Sunday November 15th, St. John’s Council #1345, Knights of Columbus, will be sponsoring the second blood drive this year, in coordination with Community Blood Services. The drive will be held at the Council headquarters, located at 61 Armour Place in Dumont, from 10AM to 1:30PM. If you are in good health and weigh over 110 pounds, you’re eligible to make a blood donation. Please bring a photo-ID with you. You will also receive a cholesterol screening with your donation.

Local hospitals are always in need of whole blood, red blood cells and platelets, and because of the rise in cancer treatments, your gift of blood is more important than ever. Your donation can help save a life!

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call Community Blood Services at 201 251-3703 or Lou Pidi at 201-707-7253 or John McGill at 201-384-7511.

Dumont Lions & Knights of Columbus hold Breakfast Benefit
On Sunday November 1st, the Dumont Lions Club and St. John’s Council #1345 served over 400 pancake breakfasts for the benefit of Kayla Rose Hannon.

According to Lou Pidi, chairman of the event and a member of both St. John’s Council and the Dumont Lions Club, the breakfast raised over $3400. “Combined with the more than $14,000 that St. John’s Council raised with their recent spaghetti dinner, we have shown what the community can do when they get together to help each other.”

Kayla, a 2008 graduate of Dumont High School, recently underwent an operation to remove a tumor. She continues aggressive therapy to lessen the effects of her treatment for bone cancer. Fittingly, the event was held in the Dumont High School cafeteria.

Shown above are Bill Boccicchio of St. John’s Council dropping the batter while Steve Hugelmann of the Dumont Lions waits to move the pancakes to the serving station.

St. John’s Council, celebrating its 102nd year, serves the parishes of St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield and St. Mary’s in Dumont. The Dumont Lions Club was founded more than 50 years ago. Both organizations raise money for local charities.

Knights of Columbus hold Benefit Dinner for Kayla Rose Hannon
On Saturday September 19 2009, dozens of Knights, and members of the auxiliary organizations of St. John’s Council #1345 – Columbian Squires, Columbiettes and Scouts from Troop #1345, pitched in to serve several hundred spaghetti and meatball dinners for the benefit of Kayla Rose Hannon. Kayla, a 2008 graduate of Dumont High School, recently underwent an operation to remove a tumor. She will continue aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and physical therapy to lessen the effects of her treatment for bone cancer.

Under the direction of co-chairmen Lou Pidi (left) and John Graham, the dinner raised $14,706. St. John’s Council, located in Dumont, serves the parishes of St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield, St. Mary’s in Dumont and the SMA Fathers in Tenafly.

An additional fundraiser, co-sponsored by St. John’s Council and the Dumont Lions Club will be held on Sunday November 1st in the Dumont High School cafeteria.

St. John's Council awards Scholarships
Started in the early 1960s as a single $500 scholarship to a Catholic high school, the Scholarship Program at St. John’s Council #1345 serving Bergenfield & Dumont has made an additional award to a first year college student for several years.

This year, the Council presented two $500 scholarship awards. The recipients are Kaely Marie Walsh, daughter of Kevin Walsh, and William Kenny, grandson of Patrick Kiernan.

Shown above are Grand Knight Steve Martin, William Kenny, Kaely Marie Walsh, and George DiCostanzo, Scholarship Committee Chairman.

Past Grand Knights Gather
Over the 101 year history of St. John’s Council #1345, 85 men have had the honor of calling themselves Past Grand Knights. On June 24 2009, sixteen Past Grand Knights came together for the annual PGK Reunion Dinner hosted by Grand Knight Steve Martin.

Shown from the left -
Back row: Steve Martin, Barry Bernard, Phil Fredericks, Bill Bochicchio, Marty Healy, Andy Connelly, Bob Dondero, Bill Gilligan, Andy Hogh, and Tom Trank.

Front row: George DiCostanzo, Ivan Hannibal, Fred Jacobsen, Frank Messina, Chaplain Fr. John Murray SMA, John Dillon, Joseph Matarazzo and George Olszewski.

Knights raise $2000 at Golf Outing
Under sunny skies, the 14th annual Jim Rush Memorial Golf Classic was held on June 8, 2009 at the Rockleigh Golf Course. Chaired by Mike Cremin, the event fielded 42 players and raised over $2200 towards the Council’s charitable endeavors.

Golf awards were distributed at a dinner, which followed at the Council home.

Shown in the photo is Grand Knight Steve Martin, Mike Cremin and Past Grand Knight Martin Healy. Marty was a good friend and golf partner to Jim Rush, after whom the Memorial Golf Classic is named.