(Chelsea Update would like to thank Joe Yekulis for the information in this story.)
Most people in the community know that the St. Louis Center in Sylvan Township, is a residential care home for boys, men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities that’s been operated by the Servants of Charity congregation of priests for the past 53 years.
What many people don’t know, however, is the amount of support St. Louis Center receives from the local community, and in particular from members of the Michigan Knights of Columbus.
During April 17-18, local Knights of Columbus members made donations to St. Louis Center that totaled almost $7,500 from three fundraising events.
*The first was from St. Louis Guanella Council #3092 of Chelsea St. Mary Parish, which successfully raised $4,956 from the recent Palm Sunday Weekend Tootsie Roll Drive.
Of that amount, $3,469 went to St. Louis Center and $1,487 was distributed to the Chelsea Special Education program. Members Frank Pignanelli and Larry Kranick chaired the event, in which members could be found in front of stores and banks with their yellow vests, cans, and Tootsie Rolls for donors with a sweet tooth.
On Wednesday, March 20, the generous ladies of the Dexter K of C Auxiliary conducted their “Quartermania” event, and dedicated the $1,366 they raised that night to St. Louis Center.
The donation was made to the Cardinal O’Hara 4th Degree Assembly on Wednesday April 10 at the Dexter K of C Hall.
It was combined with the $2,634 raised by the Assembly during their annual White Elephant Auction Fundraiser.
Members of the Assembly then presented a check to the Servants of Charity for a combined $4,000 total on Thursday, April 18.
“The Knights of Columbus and their wives are very special people in Chelsea, Dexter, and throughout Washtenaw County,” said Administrator Fr. Enzo Addari.
“They love our residents with special needs, and they know their love is returned,” he said.
For more information about St. Louis Center, visit www.stlouiscenter.org.
