Coats for Kids
COATS FOR KIDS HELPS CHILDREN IN NEED
On Tuesday, December 12th, 10 Brother Knights and 6 wives of Council 13341 distributed 240 new lightweight coats to the children of St. Michael’s parish in Wauchula. The event was coordinated by Mother Gema de Jesus Ruiz. She was assisted by Sister Regina and several parish teachers. For many years, the Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Saints Cosmas and Damian Council has been the only one in the Catholic Diocese of Venice to continue providing coats to the children.
This was the 12th year is a row that the Knights of Columbus provided coats to the St. Michael Catholic Church children. The Knights of Columbus donation of coats was started by the late David Walsh and after a couple of years taken over by Bill Rempe and Ray Makovec who lead the effort of the next seven years. Tom Rokosz organized the donation of the coats tis year.
Wauchula is a small agricultural community and the Hardee County Seat. The majority of the members of the St. Michael Catholic Church are agricultural workers. St. Michael’s Church in Wauchula is one of the poorest parishes in the Diocese of Venice with Sister Maria Gema leading family activities there. Each child’s coat was hand-picked by her for fit and style with their names attached. The response was wonderful with 100 people from the parish in attendance.
Anyone interested in helping the religious sisters at St. Michael Parish can do so by contacting Sister Gema at: St. Michael Parish, Attn: Sister Gema, 408 Head Bridge Road, Wauchula, FL 33873.
