Knights of Columbus host first Special Olympics Walkathon
A local chapter of the Knights of Columbus raised over $2,800 for the Lee County Special Olympics last weekend.
“We are the very first people in Lee County to ever do something like this for Special Olympics. I feel honored,” Grand Knight Dennis Robinson said at last week’s town council meeting, where Mayor Tracey Gore presented the Knights with a proclamation that February 23 was to be deemed Special Olympics Florida Lee County Day.
“If you’re not familiar with Knights of Columbus and Special Olympics, Knights is the largest lay catholic organization in the world, with about 2 million members. We work directly with the church and parish priest, but our biggest thing is our community and our charities,” Grand Knight Dennis Robinson told council at the meeting.
The biggest of their causes, he said, is the Special Olympics.
“Eunice Shriver, who started Special Olympics in 1968, had a special needs child. Her husband Sargent Shriver was very big in the Knights of Columbus. Ever since then we have sponsored it,” said Robinson.
At their last state convention, the Knights presented the State of Florida with $20,000 for the Special Olympics, he said.
Robinson led the walkathon, followed by members of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Color Corps in full regalia, which includes a tuxedo, cape, and sword.
The Special Olympians and public followed on the quarter-mile course around the parking lot at the Church of the Ascension.
All the funds raised at the walkathon on Saturday will be donated exclusively to the Lee County Special Olympics, and the Knights plan to continue the event annually.