The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic family fraternal service organization with nearly 1.7 million members in over 12,500 local councils. Last year, Knights donated 60 million volunteer hours and $130 million to charitable and benevolent causes, sponsoring projects to benefit their church, councils, communities, families, and youth.

The local O'Fallon council, Council 4239, donated over $35,000 to charity last year supporting organizations such as Area 12 Special Olympics, St. Clair Adult Vocational Enterprises (SAVE), the Illinois Center for Autism, Parents and Teachers of Exceptional Children (PTOEC), and the St. Clare, St. Nicholas, Corpus Christi, and St. Joseph parishes. The Council also provides scholarships to both graduating seniors and current college students. Members recently volunteered at the Special Olympics track meet, Special Olympics bowling tournament, and previously volunteered at Mayfest, and the Homecoming picnic.

The Council also sponsors fundraisers and local events for the community, such as the God’s Special Children Golf Classic the last Friday in April, a Tootsie Roll drive in September, the Columbus Day Kid’s Run in October, the Turkey Trot in November, blood drives on Fridays from 3-7:00 p.m. approximately every eight weeks (the next drive is on Friday, October 2nd), an annual spelling bee, soccer challenge, free throw contest, and quarterly family events.

The Council and Ladies Auxiliary hold a weekly fish fry, which is open to the public, every Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the K of C Hall at 402 E. Hwy 50, across from the City Park. They also sponsor bingo every Sunday at 6:30 p.m., also at the hall.

Knighthood is open to any Catholic gentleman 18 years of age or over, in good standing with the Church. There is also an active Ladies Auxiliary open to the spouse of a Knight or any Catholic lady 18 years of age or over. The Squires Circle is for young men between the ages of 13 and 18.

The Council meets at 8:00 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month. The Ladies Auxiliary meets at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Squires Circle meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

If anyone would like to join the K of C, the Ladies Auxiliary, or the Squires Circle, please see a member, stop by the K of C hall, or visit us on Sign Up Sunday.