From the left: SDSG MP Eric Duncan, organizer Ray Beauregard and grand knight Gerry Potvin are shown with coats which will be provided to children as part of the Coats for Kids campaign. Thompson Goddard photo

ST. ANDREWS WEST – Over 100 people gathered in the historic church hall of St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church to enjoy a full course turkey dinner, the opportunity to visit with friends and neighbours then be entertained by comedians Dan Allaire of Cornwall as well as Jesse Reynalds and Tavis Maplesden from Ottawa. The fundraising event in support of the Coats for Kids program was organized by the Knights of Columbus St. Andrews Council 10416, with organizer Ray Beauregard mentioning in a post event email how the event “raised over $1100.” 

Beauregard continued how “The 24 winter jackets that we purchased to date, are part of the over 7,500 coats purchased so far by the Ontario Knights, with the eventual goal of 10,000 coats this year.” Eric Duncan, Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry MP, attended the event and commented how fortunate we are to live in a community which has “such caring service organizations like the Knights of Columbus in St. Andrews West working to help those in need. The event was a great success, and the snowsuits purchased through the funds raised will definitely make a difference to many families this winter. The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us.”