For these Brooklyn Knights of Columbus, helping with hurricane relief in the Carolinas is essential after what New York City faced in 2012.
“It means a lot to us because when (hurricane) Sandy hit here, a lot of people helped us,” said Louis Stuto. He’s the Grand Knight for Council #6134.
Now, they’re paying the good deed forward. The catholic organization is known for its ceremonial hats and swords, but most importantly the knights are renowned for helping others.
Councils from Saint Finbar and Most Precious Blood churches in Bath Beach, Brooklyn collected nearly five-thousand dollars worth of supplies from parishioners and local businesses.
“What we have going is obviously water. Cleaning supplies. Tools. Things you would rip apart your house, disinfect it, and make sure it’s sanitary,” said Father Michael Gelfant. Gelfant is the Pastor of St. Finbar and the Knights of Columbus Chaplain.
He and other knights made the five-hundred-mile drive along the coast from Brooklyn to New Bern, North Carolina – one of the hardest hit areas of Hurricane Florence.
The donated supplies are being provided to a local Knights of Columbus council.
Members from the Bensonhurst Volunteer Ambulance are also making the journey to drop off supplies in Pollocksville, North Carolina. That’s about twenty miles west of New Bern.
“We have turnout gear for the firefighters. We also have medical supplies that we’re going to give to the ambulance core. Some pediatric kits. Oxygen supplies in case somebody has difficulty breathing. They’re going to be able to respond to that type of emergency,” said Michael Marquez, President of the Bensonhurst Volunteer Ambulance.
Though they realize there’s a lot more work to do, the knights hope this small effort will have a huge impact.