In honor of Veterans Day, Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council 14360 and Fox Run School recently did a collection of goods for veterans at the Homes for The Brave in Bridgeport. Homes for The Brave is a facility in Bridgeport that takes care of veterans who are trying to get back to regular life after serving our armed forces. The massive donation drive of goods for the soldiers for the Veterans was very much appreciated by the residents. “Between the Knights and Fox Run we filled our closets, pantries and then some,” said Olivia Ellwanger, Development Associate for the HFTB.

Also at Fox Run School, teachers Mary Jo Pecora-Runkle, Jane Jawlik and the Fox Run Student Council organized a collection after Knights of Columbus Council 14360 member Joe Giandurco and his wife Alice (a retired Fox Run teacher) approached the school about organizing a collection for the second straight year. Joe was a Marine who served in Vietnam. “Homes for the Brave is a top notch organization. It is my pleasure and honor to help my fellow Veterans in any way I can”, said Giandurco.

Grand Knight George Ribellino said  “The compassion and drive that our members have for the military is without boundaries. I am also thankful to the students, teachers and administration at Fox Run School for their generosity and support.

The Knights council and the Catholic Daughters Court St. Matthew also sponsored Thanksgiving dinner for the residents for the second straight year on November 27th.

Since opening its doors in 2002, ABRI/Homes for the Brave has provided safe housing, vocational training and job placement, mental health and addiction services, and life skills coaching to help individuals, especially Veterans, leave homelessness behind. To date, the organization has worked with more than 800 individuals.

Knights of Columbus Saint Matthew Norwalk Council #14360 was founded in 2007 and currently does many fundraising and community outreach events throughout the year, including its annual Macaroni and St. Patrick Day Dinners. The council also lends its assistance to Notre Dame Convalescent Home (Norwalk, CT), Family & Children’s Agency of Norwalk, All Saints Catholic School, Malta House and Fisher House

For more information, go to saintmatthewknights.com and http://www.homesforthebrave.org.