Published in the September 7, 2018 edition

MELROSE — Charity is the first principle of the Knights of Columbus, and throughout its 136-year history, the Order has worked to help those who are suffering and in need. During 2017, in addition to raising and donating more than $177.5 million to charitable needs and projects, Knights volunteered more than 75.1 million hours of their time to charitable causes.

In keeping with this principle, Melrose Council No. 128 will be sponsoring its Annual Pancake Breakfast to be held on Sunday, September 9, before the Annual Melrose Victorian Fair at the Knights Hall, 23 West Foster Street, Melrose.

Please join us in support of your community for this special event by becoming a sponsor or purchasing a placement ad.

Proceeds from the event will support our combined charity projects listed below.

Our charitable activities encompass a variety of local, national and international projects. Our support ranges from international charitable partnerships with Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity to our local initiatives such as:

Bread of Life, Malden – Founded in 1980 and incorporated as a non-profit in 1992, Bread of Life is a local volunteer organization with a long record of outreach and community service. With a mission to feed the poor and hungry, as well as to empower those being served, the organization coordinates more than 500 volunteers from its 35 partner organizations in Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Reading and Wakefield. The Melrose Knights support Bread of Life by preparing meals and by providing financial support.

Coats for Kids – Council #128 partners with Anton’s Cleaners’ Coats for Kids program to promote and support their mission of “Anyone who needs a coat will have one.” Since the program began in 1995, Anton’s has collected, cleaned, and distributed over 800,000 gently worn coats, free of charge, to men, women and children who would otherwise be without one. The program focuses on helping individuals living in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

American Wheelchair Mission – The American Wheelchair Mission is a non-profit organization with a goal to deliver brand new, free wheelchairs and mobility aids to physically disabled children, teens and adults throughout the world who are without mobility or the means to acquire a wheelchair.

Other charities include: Toys for Tots; Mass Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC); Servant’s Heart Food Pantry, Melrose; My Brother’s Table, Lynn

Thank you for your generous support.