NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Each year, the charitable activities sponsored by the more than 479 Illinois Knights of Columbus councils; 4th Degree Assemblies and Columbian Squires Circles raise millions of dollars that are donated to hundreds of charitable and beneficial causes. In 2006, Illinois Knights of Columbus contributed over $2.2 million to church groups such as parishes and schools to support religious education, seminaries/seminarians, vocations, and other faith related initiatives:

• Church Activities $586,653
• Catholic Schools $464,736
• Religious Education $176,874
• Seminarians/RSVP $218,756
• Seminaries $86,345
• Vocation Projects $166,325
• Misc. Church Activ. $492,031

In 2006, the Illinois Knights contributed nearly $2.9 million for support of community activities such as programs for the elderly, those with disabilities, mental retardation, programs for the poor, disaster victims, pro-life activities, hospital and health projects, and miscellaneous civic projects.

• Elderly $54,217
• Physically Disabled $282,803
• Special Olympics $230,498
• Mental Retardation $1,221,391
• Human Needs $333,892
• Pro-Life Programs $156,501
• Victims of Disasters $82,722
• Hospitals/Institutions $67,603
• Health/Service Orgs. $73,406
• Community Projects $215,485
• Habitat for Humanity $23,480
• Misc. Activities $148,208

Donations to youth activities totaled over $738,316. Columbian Squires (the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus), scouting and other youth groups, and youth welfare including programs on substance abuse, athletics and miscellaneous youth projects were among the recipients:

• Columbian Squires $15,591
• Scouting $101,649
• Youth Groups $108,233
• Youth Welfare/Services $35,231
• Athletics $142,078
• Scholarships/Education $246,121
• Misc. $89,413

In 2006, the Illinois Knights of Columbus members provided nearly 2.4 million hours of voluntarism as follows:

• Church 1,075,836 hours
• Community 608,239 hours
• Youth 449,118 hours
• Habitat for Humanity 21,417 hours
• Misc. 217,232 hours

Also in 2006, total blood donations amounted to 23,396 pts.

The Illinois State Council conducts four major state-wide charitable programs:

• General Assistance Program
• Mental Retardation/Learning Disabilities Fund Drive
• Vocations Support Program
• Newman Campus Ministries Program

For additional information contact:

Illinois State Council K of C Charities, Inc.
PO Box 681
Kankakee, Illinois 60901-0681

OR

Your Local Knights of Columbus council.