by Garrett Fodor
The Knights of Columbus Councils of Essex and Maidstone joined forces on Sunday to raise funds to support Coats for Kids through the 8th annual pasta dinner at St. Mary’s Hall in Maidstone.
The funds raised from the dinner will be used to purchase new winter coats for those in need.
Gord Edwards, Grand Knight for the Maidstone Council, said originally, the fundraising project was bigger, but the two Councils decided to keep hosting it as it was successful.
“We are working with Essex Council, and some of our other brother Councils are also donating and sending in people, but we kind of spear-headed this,” Edwards said of the pasta fundraiser. “This is our 8th year doing this event, it started out as a much bigger initiative through the county and the city that kind of died down a bit, but we always kept doing it.”
Along with the pasta dinner, this year’s event featured a 50/50 draw, along with over 70 penny auction prizes, all of which were donated by local businesses and members of the community.
Edwards said the plan with the proceeds of the event has changed a bit from when they first started.
“One thing we do differently now is we make sure the coats we buy are brand new coats, which go to the Essex and Belle River Foodbanks,” Edwards said. “We get 12 coats in a box for $320 Canadian, and we now have a Canadian supplier who provides us with these coats.”
Edwards said this year was another successful edition of the annual event. Over 200 people came out to have dinner and support Coats for Kids. He added the community always supports causes like this, with the message spread throughout the brother Councils.
One of the most successful years Edwards said was two years ago, when they were able to buy 20 cases of coats from the funds they raised. He said he is grateful for the community’s generosity throughout the years.