Knights’ collections to help ARC programs

Joseph Morella and Jeff Upshaw presented a check for $1,215.

By: Mary Ellen Zangara
   Manville Area Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council presented the ARC of Somerset County with a donation Tuesday.
   Grand Knight Joseph Morella along with chairman Jeff Upshaw presented a check for $1,215 to Judy Miao, executive director, and Kathleen Hofer, director of development.
   "We are just thrilled that the Knights here have called us and have done some fundraising for us," Ms. Hofer said. "Like many nonprofit organizations, we are constantly looking to get more funding. Organizations like this really help us."
   The donation was raised from collections undertaken at Sacred Heart, Christ the King and St. Mary’s churches.
   Mr. Upshaw coordinated the collections.
   "I’ve been doing this for two years and every year we have a collection for the ARC," he said.
   Mr. Upshaw said Knights of Columbus across the country are raising money in church drives for local organizations working with disabled residents. "We do this at each one of the Masses at each one of the churches," he added.
   Mr. Morella said the local project is sponsored by the Knights’ head council in Connecticut, as part of a 15-year effort by the Knights to support programs helping people with mental and physical disabilities.
   Ms. Hofer said the donation will help support The ARC of Somerset’s projects for individuals with disabilities and their families.
   "We provide services such as the early childhood center, which is the Jerry Davis Center, we have 26 homes with residents throughout the county, we have our summer camp in Warren and we also have four employment centers where we provide jobs for people with disabilities," she noted.
   All of which benefit from donations such as the Knights of Columbus.