Knights of Columbus make $300k in donations to area churches and Providence Manor
When it comes to supporting local organizations, sometimes that means one organization supporting another.
On Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, several local organizations received generous donations that will help support their connection and service to the Kingston community – and all the funds came from just one local support organization.
A total of $300,000 was donated to four separate groups by the Knights of Columbus.
“The Knights of Columbus has more than 800 members in the Kingston Region and a long history of supporting important projects within our community. We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from our generous members and the community,” said Walter DaCosta, President of the Knights of Columbus Frontenac Council.
One of the recipients of the generous donations was University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHFK), a charitable foundation which supports both Kingston Health Science Center and Providence Care.
Providence Care has a lot planned for the future of Providence Manor, and will be relocating and redeveloping the long-term care home from its current site to Providence Village on the Heathfield property owned by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. Work has already begun on the design stage of the project, which will feature public areas, recreational activities, outdoor spaces, and a worship center.
“This generous donation by the Knight’s of Columbus and their ongoing commitment of $100,000 will allow us to continue to give compassionate and respectful care in a new vibrant home for residents and their families,” said Brian Devlin, Chair of the Board of Directors for Providence Care.
Nicole Pierce, Director of Leadership and Philanthropy for University Hospitals Kingston Foundation said the organization will be forever grateful for such a generous contribution.
“The Knights of Columbus councils and assemblies from this region have been very supportive of the Providence Manor project. The Knights work so hard to raise funds to give back to their community, and the residents of the new home are so blessed to have their support,” Pierce said.
“We are very pleased at the support that the Knight’s have given us in the past and that they are continuing to support us as we move to our new Providence Manor,” continued Cathy Szabo, President and CEO of Providence Care.
Sazbo also expressed the need to meet the individual spiritual wants and needs of their residents.
“We are looking to put the money towards many features, including a worship center where people can practice their faith. We recognize how important that is to the well-being of all of our residents, and we are very supportive of assisting them to live their life to the fullest in mind, body, and spirit.”
A total of four groups who received donations at Tuesdays event:
– Holy Family Church, received $50,000 to help with the repairs and installation of an updated furnace and heating system.
– St. John the Apostle, received $50,000 to help with repairs and upgrades to the structure.
– St. Mary’s Cathedral, received $150,000 to help with structural upgrades, lighting, and safety upgrades, among other concerns.
– Providence Manor (through UHKF), received $50,000 in addition to the $50,000 already received from the Knights of Columbus in order to assist in the construction of their new facilities.