From The Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — Knights of Columbus Leeds Council 5597 presented donations to four area schools at their monthly meeting last Thursday at Leeds Civic Center. Each special education teacher received a $500 check to their particular classroom for a total of $2,000 in charitable distributions.
(Front L – R): Keith Kennedy, Grand Knight Tony Hall, Alexis Shepherd – Leeds Elementary, Jennifer Askins and Katie Lee – Moody Elementary, Leslie Bice – Odenville Elementary. (Back L-R): Andy Russo, Don Tice, Terry Taylor, Jim Riley, John Barnard, Allen Whaley, Dr. Bill Watkins, Jerry Smith, Tyler Evans – Leeds Middle School. (Photo courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
Recipients were Tyler Evans from Leeds Middle School, Alexis Shepherd from Leeds Elementary School, Katie Lee from Moody Elementary School, and Leslie Bice from Odenville Elementary School.
These donations were made possible through the Knights of Columbus annual charity fundraiser for persons with intellectual disabilities (Tootsie Roll Drive) to benefit special education teachers at these four schools.
Those Knights of Columbus members in attendance for the presentations were Grand Knight Tony Hill, Andy Russo, Keith Kennedy, Don Tice, Terry Taylor, Jim Riley, John Barnard, Allen Whaley, Dr. Bill Watkins, and Jerry Smith.
Keith Kennedy was the Chairman of this year’s Tootsie Roll Drive. This charity event is just one way that the Knights of Columbus Leeds Council 5597 impacts the greater Leeds community. The Knights of Columbus is an international faith-based, nonprofit, charitable organization of more than 2 million Knights in the U.S and six other countries, including more than 8,000 Knights in Alabama and more than 75 in Metro Leeds, dedicated to serving those in need. Their central objectives are charity, unity, and patriotism. Charity includes time, talents, and fiscal assistance. The Knights of Columbus organization was founded in 1882 and is open to men that are 18 years old and up. They meet monthly at Leeds Civic Center. Bingo is also held twice a month as another fundraiser to support their charity work. The next Bingo is scheduled for Friday, February 18, at Leeds Civic Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and Bingo begins at 6:00 p.m. Come out for a fun evening for a great cause.
For more information about Knights of Columbus Leeds Council 5597, please visit http://everyoneleeds.com/leeds-knights-of-columbus/ or contact Dr. Bill Watkins, Trustee Council 5597-Leeds, at crdnlinspt@gmail.com, Grand Knight Tony Hill at tony@wideopensigns.com or Don Tice at bamaguydet@gmail.com.
