KOVAR - Knights of Columbus of Virginia Assisting Citizens with Mental Retardation

Knights of Columbus of Virginia Assisting Citizen with Mental Retardation

A Virginia Knights of Columbus Charity established in 1971 to provide financial assistance through grants and home loans to tax exempt organizations providing training and assistance to citizens with intelectual disabilities

This years goal is $650,000

This years major KOVAR drive will be April 19-22, 2007. The 2007 KOVAR book will be located at this site no later than Jan 1, 2007 to give you all the critical information to help you run a successful drive.

Vehicle Donation Program is now Available! Please use the link below to find more information on donating your vehicle.

This years goal

$650,000

KOVAR- A Branch off the Path of Charity

Imagine yourself as the people seen in the distance. You are on a path and where you are on that path is more a function of the path behind you than of the path in front of you. When you decided to join the Knights of Columbus in Virginia you were automatically placed on the KOVAR branch.

A 29-year-old parish priest Father Michael J. McGivney formed the path behind you as a branch off the path of Charity in 1881. Father McGivney and a group of men from St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven Connecticut seeing widows and children abandoned and destitute decided to do something about it. The result of Father McGivney’s care, concern and charity became the Knights of Columbus. A hundred and twenty years plus later their efforts continue and have spread throughout the world.

In 1971 a group of Virginia Knights seeing the unfulfilled needs of the Citizens of Virginia with Mental Retardation decided they had to do something about it and KOVAR was formed. It began as a small effort and through the generosity of the Knights of Virginia, their families and the citizens of Virginia, it has grown into the largest non-governmental fund raising charity in Virginia specifically dedicated to helping citizens with intellectual disabilities. This year we will make a grant that will push the total since 1971 to over 10 million dollars.

Because of the efforts of the Knights of Virginia, their families, supporters and the generous people of Virginia we have over the years been able to ensure that many people who would otherwise be in state care facilities are in small, friendly group homes. Additionally you have helped to provide safe transportation, job training, recreational opportunities and health care initiatives that were in great need. Many facilities serving citizens with intellectual disabilities have been up-graded, improved, and made safer. The list goes on and on. All of this would not have occurred without your efforts and the efforts of the brothers who preceded you.

I believe that a life lived engaged in charity and service to those less fortunate leads back to the source of all charity. We know where the path began and we know where it ends. It is my prayer for you that when you come to the end of the path you will be greeted by thousands of God’s Special People in yellow vests offering you a Tootsie Roll and welcoming you home!

Divine Providence has placed you on this path called KOVAR. Now it is your decision. Will you stand and watch, walk or run down that path? I know we have a lot of marathoner hearts in the Knights of Virginia Councils. So, that is a rhetorical question!

May God bless your efforts for His Special People.

Jay Hoffmeier.
Vice President Fund Raising KOVAR