KOC 'crushes it' with aluminum

Have you wondered what a difference recycling make? For Knights of Columbus, it has allowed them to make an impact in the lives of many.

The Knights of Columbus Snowy Range Council in Saratoga collects aluminum cans by placing trailers around town for residents to conveniently recycle. All recyclers have to do is put the cans in a trash bag and drop them off at two locations – one is at the American Legion, and the other location is at St. Ann’s Parish Hall.

“Generally, we take in about $2,000 per year,” Steve Kerpan, Knights of Columbus financial secretary, said. That depends on the price of aluminum.

This is what the Knights of Columbus have been doing with the money for the past several years.

Seminarian Support

The Knights of Columbus choose one seminarian to support for his day-to-day expenses while he is in school. The group donated $500 per year and after the student’s ordination, they pick another student.

The Knights of Columbus are currently donating to their third student.

Wounded Warrior Event

The Knights of Columbus has participated for the last two years in the Trout Unlimited (TU) Wounded Warrior Event in Saratoga. TU has been inviting wounded veterans to Saratoga for several years and the Knights of Columbus believed it was a good cause to get involved in. Last year they donated $300. This year they donated $500. Knights of Columbus members also volunteer shuttle services during the event.

Food Pantry

The Knights of Columbus primarily aids the Platte Valley Food Pantry and their mission of providing food needs in the Valley by working with the local meat processors. During big-game season, members collect packaged meat the hunters leave for the food pantry.

Most years, the members gather around 1,200 to 1,500 pounds of meat and take it to the pantry. The members also distribute the meat on the pantry’s regular schedule to those in need.

“We have also helped the pantry pay for meat processing when necessary,” Kerpan said. Most of the time, the hunters that harvest the game pay for the processing.

Museums

The Knights of Columbus has been donating to the Grand Encampment Museum for a number of years, Kerpan said. Recently, the members added the Saratoga Museum as a civic donation. Normally, the Knights of Columbus donates $50 per year to each of the museums.

Youth Charities

The Knights of Columbus donated $200 to a University of Wyoming student from Saratoga. The donation helped pay for a trip to the Dominican Republic so the student could volunteer on the UW-sponsored humanitarian venture.

The Knights of Columbus also support high school graduates who attend St. Ann’s Catholic Church by providing a Mother’s Day/First Communion/Graduates breakfast in May.

St. Ann’s Parish

The Knights of Columbus volunteer hours at St. Ann’s Parish and also donate money to help accomplish Parish activities. Donations from $100 to $400 per year have funded a Parish picnic, purchased bibles for graduates and helped pay for a high school winter ski trip.

Meals on Wheels

Currently, the Knights of Columbus are not involved with the Meals on Wheels Program, but in the past, they have donated $120 a year to help fund meals for those in need. Kerpan said that Knights of Columbus were involved in the program for a number of years.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

The Knights of Columbus sponsors the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner in mid March for the community and normally feed 110-130 people corned beef and cabbage and Kronski sausages.

Kerpan said the Knights of Columbus have transportation and can-crushing expenses, but most of the Platte Valley recycling funds go to the above-mentioned charities and other charities.

Kerpan said Knights of Columbus appreciates the support of the Platte Valley residents in donating their aluminum.