The Knights of Columbus in Cherry Hill will soon mark the 50th anniversary of the council’s creation. The local chapter’s Golden anniversary is set to take place on Sunday, Nov. 10 with a day’s worth of events.
Kicking off the celebration will be an anniversary Mass scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, 1439 Springdale Road. Cocktails and dinner are to follow at 1 p.m. at the Woodcrest Country Club, 300 East Evesham Road.
“Our council was founded in 1969, and it involved St. Thomas More Parish and also St. Mary’s Parish in Cherry Hill. Over time, we’ve had some good years and we’ve had some lean years,” said Grand Knight Dave Galloway in a phone conversation with the Sun on Oct. 22.
“At one point, things were so good about 25 years ago, we had our own building on Cropwell Road, but later on we had to sell it. But now we meet over at St. Mary’s Hall.”
When Galloway first became involved, approximately 10 years ago, the chapter had no more than seven or eight members who regularly attended meetings. However, he pointed out, the last several years have been stellar for the group, with an almost 10-percent growth in membership each year. As we approach the year 2020, the Knights claim almost 150 members, he said.
For Galloway, this is his second time serving as Grand Knight, with his term set to expire next year. He previously served at the post from 2014 to 2016, but was pressed into service once more because the member who was elected and started his term in July 2018 passed away months later.
Continuity in leadership has only strengthened the chapter’s charitable endeavors.
“We help Camp Sun’n’ Fun (located in Monroe Township, Gloucester County), with fundraising, which caters to family members who have intellectual disabilities, children as well as adults who need 24-hour, seven-day-a-week care from their families. It’s also done to give their families a two-week break,” Galloway explained.
The Knights also undertake fundraising for the itinerant Cherry Hill Food Pantry, which serves those in the community dealing with food insecurity, and, in keeping with its Catholic Christian origins, also help those who wish to enter the priesthood with a small stipend for their studies.
Galloway, of course, can’t give away too much information, but those who attend the celebration can expect some of the following.
“We’re not going to have anyone famous from the sports scene … but we’re working on a presentation from the mayor, Chuck Cahn, and we’ll also have a proclamation from the state of New Jersey, and a proclamation from the head office, the Supreme Council,” Galloway said.
“The mayor’s representative, whoever shows up, also may speak to the group. In addition, a history of the group will be presented. We just want everyone to have fun, sit back, eat, drink and relax. We’ll keep the speechifying to a minimum.”
Founded in 1882 in New Haven, Conn. by Father Michael J. McGivney, the Knights of Columbus organization is based on four principles: charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
To learn more about the Knights of Columbus organization, visit https://www.kofc.org/en//index.html.
For more information about the Cherry Hill chapter, visit http://www.koc6173.org/index.htm. For further information about the 50th anniversary celebration, contact Galloway at (609) 980-6086.
