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WHO ARE WE
The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Ct, in 1882
in the basement of St. Mary's Catholic Church by Father Michael
J. Mc Givney and a handful of Catholic laymen. The aim of the
founder and those first members was to set up a parish-based lay
organization that offered insurance benefits. In an era
when parish and fraternal societies were popular, Father Mc
Givney felt there should be some way to strengthen the religious
faith of his flock and provide financial support for families
overwhelmed by illness or death of the bread winner.
Today we have grown from that one local unit, or council, to
nearly 11,000 councils in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the
Philippines, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama,
the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam, and Spain.
Membership is nearly 1.6 million dues-paying members, nearly
150 in Pawleys Island - many
of whom are actively involved in volunteer service programs for
the Catholic Church, their communities, their families, young
people and one another.
Over 50 million hours of volunteer service and $100 Million
is raised and donated to charitable and fraternal projects.
The early system of fraternal benefits has grown into a
top-quality life insurance society, offering a variety of policy
plans to members and their families. Both A.M. Best Co. and
Standard & Poor's rated K of C insurance "Superior A++
and AAA, respectively -their highest designations.
The Knights of Columbus, the world's largest organization of
Catholic men and their families, has been called "the
strong right arm of the Church," and has been cited by
popes, presidents, and other world leaders for support of the
Church, for programs of evangelization and Catholic education,
for civic involvement and aid to those in need.
"Protecting Families for Generations" is a motto
that captures the Knight's adherence to the legacy of its
founder and fidelity to his vision.
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WHAT WE OFFER
Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides
opportunity for wholesome association with congenial companions who are, first of all, practical Catholic gentlemen. It offers the opportunity for fellowship with those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same duty to God, to family and to neighbor and who stand side by side in defense of those beliefs. Programs are so organized as to appeal to the individual interest of the members. Through many constructive activities of Christian fraternity, members are enabled to render service to their Church, their country and their fellowman.
In a word, we offer fraternity. More specifically, the Knights of Columbus offers the Catholic man and his family opportunities for leadership training through active involvement in a local unit, or council; volunteer opportunities in the parish and
community; low-cost life insurance; fraternal benefits like college scholarships and student loans for himself, his
wife, and children; Columbia magazine; and so much more.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus offers the member and his family fellowship with like-minded Catholic families not only in his community or parish, but throughout his state, region, and even internationally.
Being a Knight of Columbus allows a man to offer an added measure of protection to his family. By availing himself of the
Order's highly rated and financially sound insurance products, he can protect his family against hard times or an untimely death and provide for the retirement of himself and his spouse.
By getting involved in the variety of volunteer service programs that
we conduct, you can help protect and defend his family., Church and community against forces hostile to family life, civic values and the Church today.
By suggesting and leading new projects, you can become a leader in
that protection.
A lot of groups promise to look out for your best interests, but the Knights of Columbus offers more - it looks after the best interests of society - and you can be a part of it. We've been "Protecting
Families for Generations" and We'll continue to do so for generations to come with your support and involvement.
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