Guests of honor were representatives from five agencies that assist the mentally retarded in Moore and Hoke counties and seven Special Learning Centers in Moore, Hoke and Robeson counties. They were the recipients of the funds raised during the 2001 campaign.
A total of $32,515 was distributed to the following agencies and schools: The ARC of Moore County, MC Special Olympics, Community Residential Services, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Moore County, Raeford Children’s Development Center; eight Special Learning Centers at Southern Pines Elementary and Primary Schools, Elise Middle School, Cameron Elementary School, Westmoore Elementary School, North Moore High School, Red Springs Middle School and Raeford’s Skurlock Elementary School.
Since 1974, Knights of Columbus Councils throughout the state of North Carolina have worked diligently for this worthy cause. Members of the Knights of Columbus, their families, friends and agency volunteers have raised over $11,300,000 to assist mentally retarded individuals throughout the state. The campaign takes its name from the Bible’s Book of Matthew, 25:40, “…whatsoever you do to the Least Among My Brethren, that you do also to me.”
All expenses are paid for by the members of Council 6528 Southern Pines, including the tootsie rolls given to contributors and to children. During the 2001 campaign, 106 Knights and their families and friends plus 69 agency volunteers worked 2,372 hours at area stores and post offices to make the drive a success.
Chairman Joe Riley was assisted by territory captains Red Scherr, Ron Flock and Art Gula (Aberdeen), Mike Corcoran and Jack Heerema (Vass/Lakeview), Tom Kincaid and Henry Gebert (Southern Pines North), Bill Evert, Tom Brennan and Jim Tragesser (Southern Pines South), and Henry Gebert and Tom Kincaid (Raeford/Red Springs).
“The Knights of the Msgr. Koch Council wish to thank the generous people of the Sandhills for their contributions,” said a spokesman. “In addition, we thank the managers and postmasters who allowed solicitation at their locations and the business/professional community for their contributions.”
