Fr. Joseph O’Donnell Knights of Columbus Council #17606 presents a check of $1,000 for the purchase of new shoes for the “Happy Feet” program on Aug. 2, 2023. (From left) Kyle Coleman (Council #17606 Grand Knight); Amanda Crowell (Shoe Sensation regional manager); Bernie Hayes (Council #17606 treasurer); Melissa Glass (Butler County Family Resource Center director); Brandie Smith (Butler County Family Resource Center assistant ); and Dave Ashley (Council #17606 financial secretary). COURTESY OF KYLE COLEMAN
Butler county students put on their ‘happy feet’
BY BERNIE HAYES, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The Fr. Joseph O’Donnell Knights of Columbus Council #17606 of Beaver Dam and Morgantown, Ky., was chartered less than three years ago, but they have wasted no time in serving their community in the spirit of Fr. Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus. Each year since their formation, Council #17606 has partnered with the Butler County Family Resource center in providing shoes for school children whose families are unable to do so.
This year, the Knights provided $1,000 for the purchase of new shoes for the “Happy Feet” Program. On Aug. 2, 2023, 100 pairs of shoes were distributed to students from Morgantown Elementary, North Butler Elementary, Butler County Middle and Butler County High School who came to Morgantown Elementary School to pick out the shoes they wanted from a large stock of shoes. The shoes were provided at a discounted price by Shoe Sensation because of the school’s partnership with the Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet Organization.
Family Resource Center director, Melissa Glass, said “Parents and caregivers bring the children to their appointment and wait in the hall while the children get the chance to enter the gym where we have the shoe store set up. Each child has their foot professionally measured by Shoe Sensation staff. Then they each get to pick out a new pair of Bombas socks, select their new shoes and leave with ‘happy feet’ ready to start back to school. It is one of our favorite programs and we truly appreciate the Knights of Columbus Fr. Joseph O’Donnell Council! They are our local heroes and their consistent financial support of this program provides a lot of shoes for some very deserving kids.”
The joy in the faces of these young ones is heart-warming. Serving God by serving others is our mission, and we enjoy it!
Bernie Hayes is the treasurer for the Fr. Joseph O’Donnell #17606 Council of the Knights of Columbus.
Originally printed in the October 2023 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
