Katrina Relief
The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council has announced the largest disaster relief effort in its history. The Order has pledged a minimum of $2.5 million in financial assistance and will match any funds beyond that donated to the Knights of Columbus Katrina Relief Fund over the next 60 days (matching ends Oct.30).

Donors in the United States should make checks payable to Knights of Columbus Charities USA, Inc. Both your check and envelope should be clearly marked: Attention: Hurricane KATRINA Relief. Donations should be sent to:

Knights of Columbus
Charities USA, Inc.
Gift Processing Center
PO Box 9028
Pittsfield, MA 01202-9028
Attention: Hurricane KATRINA Relief

Of that money, $250,000 will be immediately distributed to Catholic Charities in affected areas, and $1.25 million will be used in the immediate future to assist those displaced and made indefinitely homeless. An additional $1 million will be set aside and used to rebuild the estimated 130 Catholic schools destroyed or seriously damaged by the storm and its aftermath.

One hundred percent of contributions will go directly to hurricane relief, and all donations to Knights of Columbus Charities are tax-deductible (tax creditable in Canada).

The Knights have nearly 50,000 members in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Of those about one-third have life insurance through the Order.

The Supreme Council on Aug. 31 provided initial relief funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Initial contributions of $10,000 each were made available to Knights of Columbus state councils in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

The Knights of Columbus has provided significant relief for other recent disasters, providing more than $500,000 to victims of the Asian tsunami and $1 million for families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.