Knights help the disabled

by Bob Davies/Special to Carolina Gateway

The Indian Land Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Grace Council 14765 has wrapped another year of collecting money to help agencies that work with intellectually handicapped people through the state Knights of Columbus Operation HOPE program. 
In 2011, the council collected a total of $2,515.25, which will be distributed to agencies working with intellectually handicapped people in the county and state.
The council sent $377.25 (15 percent) to the state Operation HOPE Foundation.  The council gave $2,138 (85 percent) to a local organization, Chester-Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs.
Jay Altman, executive director of Chester-Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs, received the check Jan. 4 meeting from Grand Knight Frank Manipole.
Altman was very appreciative of the donation and discussed the importance of receiving private donations, such as this, as state and federal funding has decreased.
In 2011, Chester-Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs provided services for 426 people in Lancaster County and 116 people in Chester County with mental retardation, autism and head and spinal-cord injuries.
The council thanks the Harris Teeter grocery store at Carolina Commons, Food Lion and Southern Spirits for allowing council members to work in front of their stores in Indian Land.
Council 14765 of the Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s fraternal organization that focuses on helping its community and church.   
 
 

photo courtesy of Bob Davies

Frank Manipole, grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Grace Council 14765, left, and Robert Davies, the Knights’ Operation HOPE chairman, right, present a check for $2,138 to Jay Altman, executive director of the Chester-Lancaster Disabilities and Special Needs Board.