Knights of Columbus to distribute coats to North Alabama children

HUNTSVILLE – Just in time for dropping temperatures, area Knights of Columbus councils will distribute coats to children in need across North Alabama in the coming weeks through their annual Coats for Kids initiative.

Representatives from eight councils from Huntsville, Gadsden, Guntersville, Cullman, Fort Payne, Decatur, and Florence gathered at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Huntsville on Sunday, November 8 to collect cases of coats to take back to their cities. Huntsville was chosen as one of only four locations across the state to be the site of a regional distribution event.

“Today’s the culmination of about 2-3 months of hope,” said Michael Weist, Community Director for Good Shepherd Council and Alabama State Council. Weist worked with area councils to purchase the coats and organize the pickup day.

The eight Knights of Columbus councils will now work with local parishes, schools, and charities to put the coats in the hands of those in need.

The Good Shepherd council will work with Brindlee Mountain Middle School to give coats to students. The council at Holy Spirit Catholic Church will donate coats to the Catholic Center of Concern in Huntsville.

The Guntersville council will distribute coats through ministries at St. William Catholic Church and through the Shrine of the Holy Cross in Albertville.

“We’re doing it for kids,” said Joe Hosch of the Guntersville council. “We want to make sure kids have every advantage.”

A total of 888 coats will be distributed throughout North Alabama in November.

The Coats for Kids initiative is a nationwide effort started in 2009 and has distributed over one million coats across the United States and Canada. The Knights of Columbus is a Roman Catholic fraternity with more than 17,000 councils worldwide with the specific mission to serve families, parishes, and communities.