We're thankful for the Roselle Knights of Columbus

Children across Chicago and the suburbs are feeling grateful this winter for warmth brought to them by Bill Stolpe and the Roselle Knights of Columbus.

For the second straight season, members of the Roselle Knights Council 5732 are leading the nation in coat distribution to underprivileged children from Roselle to Chicago.

"We've participated in the national Knights coat drive since 2013 when we raised money to buy 24 coats for inner city homeless kids and it grew from there," said Stolpe, the council's community chairman. "This year we're delivering more than 2,400 coats to anyone who needs a coat between now and Christmas."

So far the group has distributed 1,300 coats to various organizations, including Chicago Intracity Homeless, Diocese of Joliet Catholic Charities, Carol Stream Outreach Community Center, St. Angela School in Chicago, and PADS locations in Wheaton and Oak Lawn.

St. Angela School in Chicago's Austin neighborhood, where a majority of families qualify for free or reduced lunches, was one of the first organizations to receive a shipment of 262 coats, one for every student in the building. They also received a majority of the 24 coats distributed during the drive's first year.

"These wonderful people bring us coats every winter, and the kids love the opportunity to pick out their jackets. We are richly blessed with their friendship," said Lynne Fredrick, school development coordinator.

"The timing was perfect this year. The kids took them home that day and have been wearing them."

Knights officer Greg Martucci of Roselle said the coat drive is funded in large part with a year-round collection through containers at suburban Caputo's Fresh Market stores and Chicago's Pete's Market locations.

"We buy the coats and distribute them, but really we're able to do it thanks to the generosity of so many throughout the year," Martucci said. "It's a great effort."

Stolpe said he's thankful, this season and every season, for the health and family and friends that help him contribute to the Knights of Columbus' efforts.