Columbian Club of Garwood Open For Business!June 4, 2020
As of June 4, we are now 100% open with no restrictions!! Our lounge is open from 4-6 most weekdays. We are currently taking all new bookings for our hall. Garwood KofC Sponsored Successful Blood DriveFeb 22, 2020
The Garwood Knights of Columbus and the Sot Family sponsored a blood drive in memory of Michael Sot on Feb 22 that generated 45 pints of blood. It is estimated that this potentially saved up to 140 lives. The Garwood KofC provided both volunteers and refreshments for the drive that was held in the Parish Center at St. Anne's Church in Garwood, NJ. The following is an excerpt from a story in mycentraljersey.com: Michael Sot, 20, a sophomore at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) where he was a math major with plans to become an actuary, died Dec. 4, 2018 two days after his car was struck head-on by a motorist who was allegedly impaired. Sot had been serving as the designated driver for friends heading back to school from a party at the time of the crash. Eight people were injured in the crash, including five TCNJ students in Sot's vehicle. Sot graduated from Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark where he was a star baseball player and a member of the National Honor Society. He was a sophomore at The College of New Jersey where he was majoring in math with the hope of becoming an actuary. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi national fraternity. Three New Garwood KofC Members Achieve First DegreeLeft to right is Louis LaFerrara, John Janus and Rick Garcia
Dec 9, 2019
Congratuations to our 3 new members who achieved the first degree in an induction ceremony held at the Garwood Knights of Columbus on Dec 9. Our newest members are: Louis LaFerrara, John Janus and Rick Garcia. There are four Degrees of membership in the Knights of Columbus. Each of the four Degrees is designed to correspond and demonstrate one of the four principles of the Order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Each Degree has it's own installation ceremony at which the core principle of the Degree is conferred upon the Knights seeking advancement in their local Council. Garwood KofC Toy DriveDec 9, 2019
The Garwood Knights of Columbus is conducting a Toy Drive through December. Donations of BRAND NEW, UNWRAPPED toys on behalf of St. Joseph's Social Services Center in Elizabeth can be dropped at the Council Hall, 37 South Ave. Garwood. Parking is available behind the building off Willow Avenue (Turn at Pet Supplies Plus). Use side door entrance. You can drop off toys at the following times:
Monetary donations make payable to: "The Garwood KofC Toy Drive, Att: Keith Gallagher. Please, No toys depicting violence, guns, dolls exploiting women, or old stuffed animals donated, respectfully. For information, call the Knights at: 908-789-9809 after 4:00 pm or Keith Gallagher at 908-789-0931 For more information on St. Joseph's Social Services Center go to Youtube "Homeless in Elizabeth," parts one and two, or visit sjeliz.org Garwood Police Officer, Fireman and E.M.T. of the Year Awarded During Columbus Day PartyOct 13, 2019
Jonathan Pridy was awarded Garwood Police Officer of the Year during the Garwood Knight's of Columbus 3rd Annual Columbus Day Party on Sunday, October 13. Garwood Police Chief James Wright introduced P.O. Pridy and covered highlights of his career. P.O. Pridy has been with the Garwood Police Department since 2016. Glenn Miller was awarded Garwood Fireman of the Year. Although he was unable to attend the ceremony due to a family reunion, Garwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Allan Tweedle accepted the award on his behalf. James Willix was awarded Garwood E.M.T. of the Year. Garwood Volunteer First Aid Squad Captain Luciane Raibin introduced E.M.T. Willix and covered highlights of his career. The Columbus Day Party is one of Council 5437's biggest fundraisers during the year. The proceeds go support its many charities. In attendance were Garwood Mayor Sara Todisco, Councilwoman Jennifer Linken Blumenstock, Councilman Richard McCormack, Councilman Russ Graham and former Councilwoman Stephanie Bianco. Additional photos from the award ceremony and the event can be found here: 2019 Columbus Day Party Pictures Jack Leery Awarded
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Hall Rentals are Available Again!June 4, 2020
Our banquet hall is allowed to open with no restrictions! If you are interested in booking a new hall rental or updating an existing one please contact our hall chairman: Keith Gallagher Columbian Club Hall Chairman [email protected] (908) 789-9282 St. Patrick's Day PartyMarch 15, 2020
The Garwood Knights of Columbus held its annual St. Patrick's Day Party on March 15. Turnout was lower than normal, but approximately 30 people were still in attendance with a number of others who took advantage of the take-out dinners. The party featured a tricky tray raffle and was catered by Al's Deli in Garwood. The event was organized by Michael Collings and raised between $1,200-$1,400 for Garwood Knights of Columbus charities. To address the public's concern regarding COVID-19, the event offered take-out dinners and for elderly ticket-holders, who were concerned about coming out at all, organizers offered free home delivery. Since a significant number of people expressed a strong desire to still come to the event tables were spaced out more than usual for people to sit. We also doubled our efforts to clean and disinfect the hall. Unfortunately the Irish Dancers had to cancel but we look forward to seeing them next year. Additional photos from the event can be found here: Gallery Robbie Kenny presented with Lifetime Achievement AwardDec 11, 2019
During the Dec 11 Monthly Council Meeting, Robert P. Kenny, Jr was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Columbian Club of Garwood. The following is the award speech given by Columbian Club Vice President Aaron Dolan: Robbie Kenny has served as the President of the Columbian Club for the past 6 years and is stepping down from that position at the end of this month. Robbie grew up in this club. His father was Columbian Club President more than 20 years ago and now his own son Bobbie is a member and frequently seen tending bar. Robbie has been a member of this club himself since 1987 and has served in many roles, including Advocate, Grand Knight, Hall Chairman, Columbian Club Vice President and now President. I’ve personally known him for 25 years and he has always served as a role model for someone who loves this club and loves what it stands for and always measures his actions by what will be best for the club’s welfare. As the Columbian Club President, Robbie was ultimately responsible for keeping the lights on, making sure the heat was pumping and most importantly for some of us, making sure the booze was well stocked. It was certainly not a glamorous job on the days when he was spotted crawling into the ice machine to fix it for the umpteenth time or spending a Saturday afternoon on the kitchen floor fixing the dish washer ... again. It definitely wasn’t fun on those days when the toilets overflowed and he had to come plunging to the rescue. Maybe even more important than keeping the facility running was how he and others like Doug Chapman and Mike Collins more than 6 years ago were able to revive this club that some might say was on life support back then. Not only was he instrumental in resuscitating it, but he reinvigorated it, helping to transform it back into the place that many of our fathers created and loved back in the 70s and 80s. He did this by pouring seemingly endless energy, enthusiasm and charisma into both improving the facility but also drawing people back in by making this a fun place to go on a Sunday afternoon, and even better, a place that felt like home where everybody knew your name. We’ve all heard the phrase “Robbie Said,” which means the buck stopped with him and he made a decision that was in the best interests of the club. Now, the last thing that Robbie said after all these years of service is that it’s time for him to step down as President of the Columbian Club and give others a chance to step up. On behalf of the Columbian Club, I would like to say thank you, Robbie, and to present you with this Lifetime Achievement Award. Connie Baker Awarded Columbian Club of Garwood 2018 Volunteer of the YearOct 13, 2019
Connie Baker was awarded the Columbian Club of Garwood 2018 Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented during this year's Columbus Day Party. Connie has been an unsung hero at the Garwood Knights of Columbus for years. She was instrumental in originally setting up Football Sunday, which has been successfully raising money to improve the club for several years. She redesigns the flower wall in the hall seasonally. She also regularly refreshes the flowers on the statue of the Virgin Mary on the front of the council building. Connie frequently helps with 50/50's during club events. She even designed curtains for the men's and women's rest rooms and the back bar. The Columbian Club of Garwood was proud for formally recognize and celebrate Connie's many years of dedicated and outstanding service to not only the Columbian Club, but also to Council 5437 Garwood Knights of Columbus and the Church of St. Anne. Additional photos from the award ceremony and the event can be found here: 2019 Columbus Day Party Pictures Council 5437 Wins Columbian Award for 4th Year in a RowOct 9, 2019
During our monthly meeting PGK Michael Collings accepted the Columbian Award on behalf of Council 5437. This is the fourth year in a row that Council 5437 has won this award. The Columbian Award recognizes excellence in our council’s programming and charitable outreach. A council must conduct each of the following programs to be eligible to receive the Columbian Award. The four categories and the required program for each are as follows:
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