ALGONQUIN—Days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, the Franciscan priests at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Algonquin heard of a Franciscan convent in Ukraine that was without power. 

 

Assuming the worst — no water, heat, or light — the Knights of Columbus Council #11091 sprang into action. The Franciscans in Ukraine had found a generator in Poland that would meet their needs, and it was for sale for $4,000, but they did not have the money. 

 

At the KC’s general meeting, the Knights voted to donate the $4,000 to cover the generator. 

 

Passing a hat around raised an additional $1,500 from the roughly 30 people present. The membership decided the council should match that cash donation, so the council donated another $1,500.

 

“It was a very proud moment in my life,” says Grand Knight David Campbell. “We had come together for a great cause and within 15 minutes had donated $7,000 to people in need. After the donation was received in Ukraine, we learned from Father Witold (Adamczyk, parochial administrator) that … we had raised enough money for (an additional) generator purchase for a (second Franciscan) convent in need!”