Sir Knight Don Moore—Knight of the Month for May 2012

St. Mary of Huntley Knights of Columbus Council #11666 selected Sir Knight Don Moore as Knight of the Month for May 2012, recognizing his efforts in helping the council support a new youth program for girls, American Heritage Girls, starting at St. Mary of Huntley Catholic Church.

Moore volunteered to coordinate the Knights of Columbus Council efforts to support the establishment of an American Heritage Girls program in our parish and community.

He felt there is a need for a Christian oriented youth group for the girls of our parish and community.  A core group of volunteer leaders had formed but needed additional support, especially financially, to start up this activity in the parish.

American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio by a group of parents wanting a wholesome program for their daughters. These parents were disillusioned with the increasing secular focus of existing organizations for girls. They wanted a Judeo-Christian focused organization for their daughters and believed that other parents were looking for the same for their daughters.

This became the catalyst for the birth of the organization we have come to know as the American Heritage Girls.

American Heritage Girls began its first year of programming in the fall of 1995 with about 10 troops and roughly 100 members. Most of the troops met in the West Chester area and worked on badges written by the founding parents. Organizational events were started that year which assisted the organization in tying citywide troops together.

American Heritage Girls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. The organization offers badge programs, service projects, girl leadership opportunities and outdoor experiences to its members. This program of character building has successfully served thousands of girls since its inception and will continue to do so long into the 21st century.

The founders of the American Heritage Girls and the volunteers of today give all credit for the success of AHG to God for His constant hand upon the organization and His unceasing blessings.   For information about the program at St. Mary’s, e-mail recorder@huntleyknights.org.

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic family fraternal service organization with nearly 1.7 million members in over 13,000 local councils.  Last year, Knights donated 68 million volunteer hours and $158 million in charitable and benevolent causes, sponsoring projects to benefit their church, councils, communities, families and youth.