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Columbian Charities

California’s Fraternal Benefit – California Columbian Charities provides assistance to Brothers who are suffering financial hardship.

In 1955 the State Council created California Columbian Charities, Inc.  The charity is dedicated to assisting California Brothers in financial distress, including their widows.  For almost sixty years we have consistently worked to provide charity, the first principle of our Order, and to fulfill Father McGivney’s mandate of BROTHER HELPING BROTHER.

During the past half-century we have responded to 1930 requests for assistance from Brother Knights in California and have given over $2,800,000 in relief.

Last year, in 2013, Columbian Charities assisted 58 Brothers and their families with $140,000 in aid.

If you know of a Brother who is in need of assistance please ask his council’s Grand Knight to contact the California State Council office for Charity application forms.  See the instruction page for details.

We need your generous charitable and fraternal support to continue assisting Brothers in distress. For the last five years donations to the charity have been much less than what is required to meet the needs of the many Brothers who are suffering because of our poor economy.

The 365 Club and the Parade of Grand Knights are the primary means of raising funds for California Columbian Charities.  We ask that every Brother in California join the 365 Club and donate a penny a day – either by adding an additional $3.65 to their dues payment, or by a cash donation at council meetings.  The council should hold these funds until May when they can be brought to the State Convention and the Parade of Grand Knights.

If your Council is presently requesting your members to join the 365 Club, we ask you to continue to do so.  If not, we ask your Council’s Financial Secretary to introduce your members to the 365 Club by adding an additional line to the dues billing statement (including those sent to non-dues paying Honorary Members):  “365 Club – Please add a $3.65 donation to California Columbian Charities.”  This will provide every Brother in your Council an opportunity to practice charity, unity and fraternity.

All Councils, Chapters or Assemblies making a donation to our charity will receive an Award Ribbon.  We hope that 100% of the active Councils in California will contribute.

If a council misses the convention it should not overlook its donation.  Please mail all council and personal checks (payable to Californian Columbian Charities) to the above address.  The donations can be sent at any time.

Although the 365 Club and Parade of Grand Knights involve only one donation a year at the State Convention, further donations are appreciated by Columbian Charities and by your Brothers in distress.

Program Chairman