Knights of Columbus hosted its 11th annual golf tournament
By: Melissa Riker
Tags: Donations, Charity, Golf

Knights of Columbus hosted its 11th annual golf tournament

More than $42,000 was raised for Medford’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Burlington County and 1st Way of Burlington County.

Former major leaguer and current Phillies announcer John Kruk (center left) is pictured with Scott Kanz, Adam Elliot, Brian Bouchard, Randy Thompson, Anthony Lombardo, Eric Dodson and Jason Gareau.

St. Mary of the Lakes Knights of Columbus Council 6520 hosted its 11th annual charity golf tournament at Medford Lakes Country Club, raising more than $42,000 for Medford’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Burlington County and 1st Way of Burlington County.

“Knights of Columbus Council 6520 is grateful to our golfers, sponsors, local businesses and volunteers who ‘chipped in for charity’ to support vital organizations that treat every man, woman and child with respect, dignity and compassion,” said Council 6520 Golf Committee Chairman Don Bouchard, who has chaired the tournament for the last two years. “We were thrilled to have the maximum number of golfers as well as 86 additional people for the awards presentation and a wonderful dinner.”

The event had more than 25 sponsors and 40 boosters, including:

— David Karbasian Law (Event Sponsor)

— ShopRite of Medford (Platinum Sponsor)

— Clyde Lattimer and Son Construction (Gold Sponsor)

— Holman Cadillac (Gold Sponsor)

— Procacci Brothers Sales Corporation (Gold Sponsor)

“I was fortunate and blessed to be able to sponsor this wonderful event,” Karbasian said. “I was honored and proud to work alongside so many dedicated and compassionate people in the form of our sponsors, our committees, my brother Knights and all the wonderful women who volunteered to help make a difference in the lives of those who in need.”

Walt Johnson, Phil Knudsen, Joe Roeder and John Swenda won the tournament featuring 144 golfers who enjoyed golf, lunch, a cocktail hour with appetizers, dinner, guest speakers, a live auction, raffles and more than 50 tombola gift baskets.

“We also are grateful to the seven silver sponsors, 13 bronze sponsors and the more than 100 merchants who donated items for the auction, raffles and tombola prizes. Their support was critical to the tournaments success,” added Bouchard.

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic lay organization. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church and the community.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization that allows women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person to person service to those who are needy and suffering. Over the past year, the St. Mary of the Lakes Conference of Society of St. Vincent de Paul has helped more than 14,000 men, women and children with food, clothing, financial help for rent and mortgage, auto insurance, utilities, health care and other expenses valued at more than $500,000.

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Burlington County is a non-profit interfaith organization committed to a united outreach by the religious community in Burlington County providing shelter, meals and assistance to homeless families. The program provides help, hope and a safe haven for guests while they seek affordable housing. Since 1998 IHNBC hosted over 400 families totaling more than 1,300 individuals, including nearly 800 children.

1st Way of Burlington County helps any woman or girl with an unplanned pregnancy find medical, legal, or psychological help as well as shelter, education, or adoption guidance. 1st Way believes in the sanctity of life, all life, the life of the mother as well as the life of the baby. 1st Way provides free resources, which support life-affirming choices. This is accomplished through a loving, non-judgment approach with peer counseling, education and practical services.