St. Mary Knights Of Columbus Members Honored

Two members of   of Huntley Knights of Columbus Council were recently honored for their volunteer work.

Past Grand Knight Don Walz received the Rising Star Award by District Deputy Mark Halper. 

The Rising Star Award, an Individual Leadership and Outstanding Service Award is presented to Grand Knights who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential within the Order.

District Deputies nominate Grand Knights for this award, judged by the Programming, Membership and Charitable Activities Directors. The number of Rising Star Awards presented per year will vary depending on the Council Grand Knights who meet the criteria.

The Rising Star Award is part of the "Spirit of Illinois Honors" program.  The “Spirit of Illinois Honors” is designed as a tool for councils to “be all that they can be” in the area of programming.

St. Mary Knights of Columbus trustees selected Mike Grunthaner as Knight of the Month for July 2011.

Grunthaner was selected in recognition for his volunteer efforts at each quarterly blood drive sponsored by the council.

He greets the donors as they arrive and monitors the registration process to minimize delay and to answer questions donors may have.

Grunthaner is noted for his excellent ability to communicate with the donors.  If there are concerns, he is quick to be sure they are answered.

Sometimes a first time donor may be apprehensive as they arrive at the drive, but he is sure to help them become comfortable as they participate in the drive to give the blood, the gift of life to so many in need of this gift.

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.