Millerville’s Knights of Columbus collecting ‘winter gear’ to donate to those in need – Alexandria Echo Press
BRANDON – The Knights of Columbus Chesterton Council of Millerville is collecting winter gear to donate to those in need.
Drop-off locations are located in six different communities affiliated with the Knights, from Battle Lake to Millerville and Elbow Lake to Parkers Prairie. They include:
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• Seven Dolors in Millerville
• Our Lady of the Lake in Battle Lake
• St Ann’s in Brandon
• St. Olaf at Elbow Lake
• St. Williams at Parker’s Prairie
• Sacred Heart in Urbank
Chesterton Council is asking for new or hardly used winter gear for all ages, ranging from winter jackets and snow pants to hats and gloves. The last day of submission is Tuesday, January 31st. Collected items will be donated to Love INC. donated.
When asked why there are no drop-off points in Alexandria, Joe Boesen, 46, of Brandon, said Alexandria has a chapter of the Knights of Columbus and he didn’t want to “step on anyone’s toes.”
This is the first year that Chesterton Council has been running a winter gear fundraiser. Boesen, who has been with Chesterton Council for nearly four years, came up with the idea while thinking about how the group could give back to the community.
“It was a desire to help people in need. I thought people always have stuff that they either outgrow or upgrade,” Boesen said. “With all due respect to (farmers), we don’t necessarily want a jacket that was used in the stable.”
Boesen, who grew up on a dairy farm, explained that some people can be sensitive to “certain smells”.
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Boesen says the Knights of Columbus are a fraternal order made up of “decent” Catholic men. According to Chesterton Council’s website, the aim of the fraternity is to serve the participating communities and those in need of support.
The website also says the fraternity offers community activities and works with youth. They also assist each parish represented (those listed above and St Edward in Henning) by supporting the clergy, helping with the maintenance of buildings and providing leadership within the Christian community.
