Jennifer Linehan, Director of Campus Ministry for Bishop Connolly, eagerly anticipates the arrival of 700 coats in Fall River to support the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program. Donna McDougal, Bishop Stang National Honor Society Coordinator, also awaits a similar number of coats to arrive onto campus in Dartmouth. And, similar to last year, Mike Cote, Director of the Coyle and Cassidy food pantry, gets ready for his shipment of 700 coats in Taunton.
These three high schools, all in the Diocese of Fall River, are partnering with the Knights of Columbus to distribute up to 2,100 coats to deserving children in these communities. The schools provide the facilities and student volunteers to ensure that every child has a chance to obtain the coat of their choice. All coats are new and were purchased through the generous donations of parishioners at St. Mary’s parishes in Mansfield and Norton and their respective Knights of Columbus councils. Interested donors can contribute to The Ben Cavallo,Coats for Kids Fund (George C. Shields Council 420) at http://bit.ly/Council420 to support this ongoing program.
Brian J. Healy, Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids Program Chairman of the George C. Shields Council 420 in Mansfield said, “We piloted this program last year at the Coyle and Cassidy food pantry and it was a resounding success. This year, our goal was to expand the distribution so that more families have access to new coats without the need to drive a long distance. With the early onset of cold temperatures, this program is coming at an opportune time.”
Bishop da Cunha will be at the Bishop Stang location around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, to assist with the distribution of coats and to highlight the needs of people in our local communities. Anyone in need of a coat, from child size four to teen sizes, can stop by one of the three Catholic High Schools between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Nov. 30.
- Bishop Stang High School, 500 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth
- Bishop Connolly High School, 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River
- Coyle Cassidy High School, 2 Hamilton Street, Taunton
