Br. Rui Carrao’s Report on Coats for Kids.

Knights of Columbus – British Columbia & Yukon State Council
Rui Carrao, State Community
State Community Program Director's Report

It is my distinct honour and pleasure to report on the results of this past weekend community activity. The first State Coat for Kids program was held on Sunday, December 18 in Vancouver downtown east side.
The project was initiated early this past fall and with guidance and assistance of Brother Edward Shawchuk. Shortly thereafter Brother Jay Lindenbach, Field Insurance Agent got on stream and contacted with many Catholic schools with the idea for students to become involved in fundraising for the purchase of the coats. The achievement of the school program called "Students Helping Students" was beyond our expectations. They managed to raise sufficient funds to purchase 300 coats for children (boys & girls) from the age of 4 to 16 years old.
I am also pleased to report that Brother Joseph ven der Buhs, General Insurance Agent with his wife Maureen assisted with the sorting of the coats with Brother Edward Shawchuk and his wife Sandra the day prior to the handing out the coats. Brother ven der Buhs also provided for the transportation of the coats to Ray Cam Cooperative Centre in Vancouver.
The coordinator for Ray Cam Cooperative kindly allowed the use of the Centre for the distribution of the coats. The distribution went very smoothly. Brother Ming Lau, District Deputy No. 5 with Brother Bart Yeung, F.S. of Council 10500 organized brother knights from St. Francis Xavier Council No. 10500, St. Patrick’s Council No 11748, Holy Rosary Cathedral No.14652 to assist in the preparation of hot dogs & hot chocolate for the kids to enjoy and coffee for the adults & helpers. Pizza was supplied by State Secretary, Brother Ed Shawchuk for all the volunteers to enjoy.
I wish also to express my sincere appreciation to State Deputy, Wil Wilmot and his wife Val along with Dan O’Hara and his wife Joanne, Supreme Membership and Program Consultant, Brother Peter Horsfield, State General Program Director as well as Marcel Fillion, Past State Deputy and his wife Henriette for their assistance in handing out coats to the many boys and girls.
Further I wish to acknowledge members of Archbishop Johnson Council 6767 that assisted with the registration and distribution of coats and thank Council 6767 for donating some of the food & supplies to feed the children.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all councils and individuals who have taken up the “Coats for Kids” Program. I have found it to be a great humbling and gratifying experience, to be able to help to put warm coats on the backs of children in need. Believe me there is no greater satisfaction than to help others, after all, this is why Father Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus organization and we must remember that Charity is the very first principle of our Order.
My wife Rita joins me in wishing you all and your family a blessed Christmas and may God bless you with health and happiness throughout 2012.
,Vivat Jesus
Rui Carrao
State Community Director
Distribution list:
St. Francis Xavier Council No. 10500
Saint Patrick’s Council No. 11748
Holy Rosary Council No. 14652
Guardian Angels Council No. 14723 St. Ann’s Council N0. 6767