Villa Park Knights of Columbus contribute coats to children.

In the photo from the left Villa Park Knights of Columbus members Tom Poleski, Jerry Benisek, John Cloper, Bruce Stachowiak, Georger Laarveld, John Golba, Chuck Klein, Matt Schmidt, Joanne Bode, Mike Baxse, Phile Duncan, Jess Silva, Leon Ivanauski Alex Lizasuain, Mike Knudtsen, Tom McQuillan, Vince Fabis, Gerry Hughes Present 24 new Winter coast to Joanne Bode the coordinator for the St. Alexanders Christmas Giving Tree.

Members of the Villa Park Knights of Columbus council # 8365 are helping to bring some warmth to children in need during the cold winter months. The Knights donated 24 new winter coats to be used for St. Alexanders Christmas Giving Tree.

The Villa Park Knights of Columbus Council # 8365 With many families with young children continuing to struggle in these challenging economic times, there has never been a better time for Knights of Columbus councils to help by providing warm winter coats to children in their communities through the Order's Coats for Kids program

Altogether, the Knights of Columbus will distribute more than 12,000 coats this winter across the U.S. and Canada. With America's long recession making life especially difficult for families with young children who are affected by the high rate of unemployment or underemployment, the Knights of Columbus is committed to helping their neighbors in need Grand Knight Rob Trenta, summarized the spirit of the program very well when he stated “Warmth has many meanings. We hope our gift will bring warmth to the bodies, hearts and souls of these precious young people.”

The Coats for Kids program is part of the Knights' Help a Child in Need campaign, which began in 2006 with a nationwide appeal during the Christmas season for donations to charities that support the needs of children. The initiative began as an effort to help families with children living in colder climates who have been severely impacted by the sharp and sudden downturn in the economy.