Knights of Columbus Celebrating 50 Years

Knights of Columbus San Marco Council #6344 celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. On Thursday, January 13, 1972, 30 Knights formed San Marco Council. Alexander Ayyot was the founding Grand Knight. The Council was formed to provide service to the church and the community, to support charities at the local, state, and national level, and to help Knights enhance their Catholic identity.

The Council supported San Marco Church by working as lectors, ushers, and Eucharistic Ministers from the beginning of the Council.

The Council Knights benefit charity organizations, such as the Catholic Faith Appeal, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, Police Foundation, Fire and Rescue Foundation, and many other charities. Soon after the Council formed, fundraising events like the Golf Tournament, which began 48 years ago, and the Spaghetti Dinners and Bingo Nights, which began 40 years ago. The Council also holds Fish Fry dinners, an annual Tootsie Roll Drive for organizations specifically assisting those with developmental disabilities, and of more recent origin, the Car Shows, and the Concerts that began three years ago. We donate thousands of dollars to charities and provide tens of thousands of hours of service to the Church and the community each year. Knights donate many hours of service to local organizations helping those in need, such as Habitat for Humanity.

The Council also provides support for our women's auxiliary, the Columbiettes, at their events, such as the Treasures in the Trunk and Winter Wonderland Dance. Maria Lodeiro, the wife of Grand Knight Jose Lodeiro, brought the idea of forming a woman’s auxiliary to our Council, and the Columbiettes were founded on March 2, 2008. Barbara Prigge was their first president. Since their formation, The Columbiettes have worked at Council and Assembly events. The Council could not hold such successful events without the Columbiettes’ very valuable help.

It’s been a great 50 years. Help us celebrate the Council’s 50th Anniversary, by attending our Bingo Nights on Thursdays starting January 6, 2022 through April 7, 2022, in the San Marco Parish Center. Doors open at 5:30 PM and Bingo starts at 7:00 PM. For more information, contact 239-389-5633 or visit our website at www.sanmarcoknights.com.