Job The Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus has once again shown how talent, camaraderie, generosity, friendship and working well together results in community members getting together for fun, frolic, and good times at reasonable prices.
Approximately 220 residents from the Bayshore and beyond showed they like and appreciate all the efforts of the Catholic men’s group, when they turned out last month for an evening of outstanding Italian food, and chances on more than 170 gifts that ranged from perfumes and wine or fitness sessions, to auto parts, pet care and financial management.
The dinner and gift auction was one of the many similar events the Knights conduct during the year more for promoting opportunities for neighbors to enjoy themselves together than as fund raisers.
This Council of Knights, a part of the organization which began in Connecticut 143 years ago by the Rev. Michael J. McGivney, is part of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes parish and Saturday’s event was held at the OLPH gym on Miller st.in Highlands.
The members of the Knights, led by Event Chairman Chancellor Sir Knight Steve Bagnetto with Knight Tommy Snow heading the kitchen staff, prepared the eggplant rollatini, spaghetti, meatballs, sausage, salad, desserts and more, while members of the Columbiettes, the women’s auxiliary who assist the Knights at all recreational activities, led by Louise Welch, a wife and mother of Knights active for generations in the Council, solicited, begged accepted, wrapped and displayed those 170 gifts for display on tables in the gym.
The $30 ticket price for adults, with a discounted rate for kids and no cost for infants, included a sheet of tickets for party goers to insert in jars by each gift in addition to the dinner.
“It takes a team to get good things accomplished and get them done efficiently so everyone, both worker and attendee, can enjoy the experience,” said former Grand Knight Mike Napolitano, who works on planning and implementing each of the activities the Knights conduct. “We have that kind of team among our Brother Knights. Everyone turns out to help, everyone does his best, and everyone is generous with his time and talent. Having the Columbiettes work as hard as they do is just as important and necessary, and so deeply appreciated and admired,” he said.
This latest event was an indication of how many Knights contribute so much time to ensure success. With Bagnetto the general chairman and Snow the main chef, the Kitchen staff included Grand Knight Kevin McKenna, current head of the local Council, along with past Grand Knights Napolitano, Ian McGinniss, Brian Anderson, advocate Shawn Taber, Outside Guard Greg Kane, and Brother Knight Jorge Knudson, with all the Knights helping in a variety of other ways to ensure the success of the evening.
Knight Mike Adamson served as auctioneer for the night, describing each of the 175 gifts that were received by happy winners and delivered to their tables by more Knights and Columbiettes.
Snow, who is in the OLPH kitchen from early morning until closing the night of every dinner event the knights present, heads up the creation and preparation of everything from the eggplant Rollatini to the Caesar Salad and always ensures there’s a plentiful supply.. “We were close this year because of the unanticipated overflow,” he smiled, “But we did it. It’s just next time we’ll plan for 100 more or so.”
In addition to their own generosity, the knights and Columbiettes are all quick to point out events could not be held without the support of outside sponsors. They all praised the generosity of local sponsors especially from Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, as well as from throughout the Bayshore area, many other areas of Monmouth County in addition to friends from throughout the state. The variety of gifts always makes events like the Gift Auction such an added thrill, Napolitano pointed out.
For instance, at the most recent event, in addition to numerous gift certificates from popular local restaurants including Off the Hook, Bahrs, Outback, the Atlantic House, Lusty Lobster, Waterwitch Café, Proving Ground and Gem’s Bagels, there were dozens of children’s gifts, from Preschool Activities, Mickey Mouse, Disney Puzzles, Crayola Learning Toys, Tweens Basket. There were tickets on Sea Streak or at Eastpointe Fitness, free sessions at Power Core and Eyes on First, as well as wine baskets, platter carousels, kitchen equipment and roofing discounts. There were also gifts for pets, from K-9 Resorts or a cat basket, books and gift cards, a basket of items from the NJ Devils, and jewelry and cologne.
With the Italian Night a successful event of the past, the Knights started work once again on their special Valentine ‘s Day treat held last Sunday, always a sought after Sunday breakfast once a month. And now the Council is already planning another major event in April. That will be their annual Line Dancing event, where tickets will be $35 for adults, and special discounts are offered for complete table reservations. There’s a $15 ticket price for youngsters and always, no charge for infants. More information will be available next month on this ever-popular event as well.
In the meantime, the Knights are completing their plans for the Bread & Soup they will be serving during Lent prior to the weekly Stations of the Cross service offered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. This Bread & Soup supper will be conducted from Feb. 20 through March 7 and as always, everyone is invited to attend as well as stay for the Stations in the church.
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