GRAND KNIGHTS REPORT -November 18th
Good evening brothers. Thanksgiving is next week and I think it is appropriate for me as the Grand Knight to thank all of the Brothers who give of themselves to this council. I see all of the activity that occurs here and could not be happier with the course of the year so far. Please forgive me if I have not said it to you individually or failed to mention it at a meeting. Thank you to everyone for giving of your time, your talents and the giving of yourself. This council is blessed and I deeply appreciate what each and every one of you does for this organization.
I am grateful to the new members of our council who have joined our organization in the past two weeks. On November 5th, 2008, Our Worthy Financial Secretary John Bianco PGK accompanied two new candidates to their first degree. The candidates were Terry Foley and John Mueller. Then on November 10th, 2008, Brother(s) Bob Moser, Bill Julian and I accompanied Ray Imperato, Mike DeFlorio and Joe Mahon to the Harrison Council. All three men took their first and second degree that evening. Finally, Brother Mike DeFlorio went back to St Gregory Church with Brother(s) Bob Moser, DGK Nick Pesacreta as witnesses to Brother Mike's third degree. Congratulations to all five of our Brother Knights and welcome to our council (applause.) Thanks also to the membership committee Brother(s) Bill Julian as director, and John Magaletta and John Bianco as members of the membership committee.
We quickly moved into the next weekend with our annual John Ragusa Memorial Blood Drive led by Financial Secretary John Bianco PGK. The drive collected 43 pints of blood. Brother John Ragusa's wife came and was very appreciative of our dedication to Brother John. Brother Ray Farrell and Brother Andy Mancusi assisted and many Brother Knights gave blood. Thanks to all.
Later in the evening we had our Las Vegas Night. I wanted to express my deep gratitude to all of the men who helped make this evening a success. PGK Frank Dipilato helped me immensely by obtaining the license, ordering the food and mentoring me and giving me advice as this was my first Vegas Night as GK. I also was mentored by PGK John Magaletta who worked with me that evening and shared his expertise with me. I also wanted to express my deep gratitude to all that came and worked including, Steve Aufiero, Ralph Mola, John Bianco, Joe Mancini, Joe Leader, Nick Pesacreta, Tony Pacifico, John Verdeschi, Marty Belotti, Chris Sena, Bill Julian, Pat Desisto, Joe Fimmano and John Lomurno. I wanted to give a special thank you to our newest member Brother Mike DeFlorio. He took his first, second and third degree this week and then came to Vegas night with his wife. He saw that we needed another Black Jack dealer and quickly answered the call to action and began dealing. Thank also to Brother Alex Mora of Victors Restaurant for donating the pasta and chicken. Everyone deserves a round of applause. The council made approximately $1,700 dollars after expenses.
Looking forward. We have seven events through the end of the year. First, November 21, is a pasta night; second, November 22-23 there is a recruitment drive at Holy Innocents church; third November 29th set up council chamber for Santa visit; Fourth on December 2, 2008 we are having a Light up for Christmas and guest speaker Joel Melford; Fifth December 7th is Lunch with Santa, Sixth December 12th is the Chapter Seminarian Dinner at St. Joseph's Seminary to benefit St. Joseph's Seminary and finally December 19th is our Christmas Party. The committee chairs will give a brief report later in the meeting.
Finally, Brother Lou Morello has been busy behind the scenes. He has installed new lighting to help reduce our electricity bill as well as obtained secured a donation in the form of a safe to keep our important papers safe. Thank you Lou.
As I close my Grand Knight report, I wanted to wish each and every one of you and your families a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving