St. Bernadette Council #13042
Port St. Lucie, Florida

The history of the Knights of Columbus' involvement in community life is a record of outstanding benevolent achievement.  Knights volunteer in a variety of charitable enterprises to serve the people and programs of their communities.  Volunteerism informed by Christian concern is the hallmark of the Knights of Columbus.  It results in outstanding contributions of time and talent to the Catholic Church, our communities, families, young people and brother Knights.

United in Charity

Pro-Life

The Knights of Columbus has been a leader in the pro-life movement for over 30 years.  With the Knights of Columbus Day of the Unborn Child on March 25th, the feast of the Annunciation, the Knights have the opportunity to stand up and speak out against the evils of abortion.  Councils use the Knights of Columbus Day of the Unborn Child, always a successful event throughout the Order, to come together with friends and family to host a variety of prayer programs within their parishes and their communities that show our never-ending commitment to unborn children and their mothers.

Health

Knights of Columbus participate in a variety of health service initiatives.  Councils regularly join in national programs bringing public attention to heart disease, the dangers of smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse.  Members help raise money for medical research and expansion of medical facilities.  Knights at all levels of the Order report raising nearly $4 million for health service organizations and hospitals on an annual basis.
Knights regularly organize and conduct blood drives.  Yearly reports indicate nearly 370,000 blood donors at Knights of Columbus-sponsored drives.  Knights and their families regularly volunteer at veteran's hospitals, hospices, and other health care facilities.

Special Olympics

Over the past 40 years, the Knights of Columbus has raised and donated more than $382 million to programs for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Among the larger gifts of time and money the Order makes annually is to Special Olympics.  In 2005, the Knights of Columbus announced a partnership with Special Olympics.  It committed $1 million over the next four years to grow the programs of Special Olympics in North America and pledged more volunteers for state and local games.  The Order will also work with Special Olympics North America to expand its programs to countries currently undeserved by it.