Knights of Columbus provide funding for students in need

The stress of the holidays has been reduced for parents who are having to decide whether to buy Christmas gifts or school supplies for their children. The Knights of Columbus has eased the burden.

 

The Knights of Columbus Copperas Cove Council 6658 recently donated $800 to Communities In Schools for several Copperas Cove schools. The money will assist students with supplies and other items needed to help each student to be prepared for school, CIS representative Cassie Ray at House Creek Elementary School said .

 

“The ability to obtain school supplies can often be difficult for many, and I am so thankful to the Knights of Columbus for helping me provide this to them,” she said.

 

CCISD partnered with Wal-mart and Star-Group Veterans Helping Veterans in August for a Stuff the Bus event raising more than $20,000 in school supplies. But, those supplies have long been exhausted by the end of the first semester, CIS representative Lucille Justice of S.C. Lee Junior High said.

 

“It will assist us in providing much needed supplies as the year goes on,” she said.

 

Several groups including Metroplex Hospital, local churches, veterans groups, businesses and other organizations hold school supply drives in the fall prior to the start of the school year. But, few realize there is nothing left by January, CIS representative Stacy Bradley at Copperas Cove Junior High School said.

 

“The money is very helpful at this time of year. Usually the supplies such as paper, pencils, binders and poster board are used up or worn out and need to be replaced,” Bradley said. ”The Knights step in and help us out in our time of need.”

 

The Knights of Columbus have partnered with Communities in Schools several times in recent years. The Knights have helped with Coat Drives and sponsoring families for Thanksgiving meals and Christmas presents for many students and their families. Members are planning another coat drive for January. The money is raised by the organization through personal giving and fundraising fish fries, KOC member Felix Alaniz said.

 

“The Knights of Columbus feel that the children are our future and every child deserves every opportunity to succeed,” Alaniz said..”We give to those individuals in hope that one day they will give back to our community.”