The Keep Christ in Christmas Program benefitting St Francis Evangelization Center was started in 1999. This year (2025) we had donations totaling $2835.00 from 45 Brother Knights, which is an increase of $505.00 over 2024. The donations were allocated as follows:
| Donation to: | Donation Description | Value |
| St. Francis Evangelization Center | 18 $50.00 gift cards to the local supermarket to buy food | $900 |
| $200 additional donation to be used as needed | $200 | |
| Christmas gifts for 13–18-year-olds. Fishing Poles, Hunting Vests, Socket Sets, Tents, Sleeping Bags, Backpacks, Girls Crossbody Purses, Roadside Assistance Kits, Bluetooth Speakers, Wooden Toys- Trucks, Cars, Craft Boxes, Jewelry Boxes, Baby Cradles, Keepsake Boxes. | $1559 | |
| St. Francis Catholic Church Giving Tree | Cash + 39 handmade wooden toys. | $175 |
| Total | $2834 |
We went to McArthur on 12/12 instead of our planned date of 12/13 due to the impending snow on 12/13. Three Brother Knights made the trip this year because of this change in plans- John Lang, Pat Kent, Mike Weiland. We were joined by Ann Lang, Mary Ann Kent and Ann Meese, three wonderful volunteers that made a huge difference in what we accomplished. Together we made 120 food boxes in 5 hours. The total man hours for the 3 knights, plus my time of organizing the program this year was 31 hours. In addition, Brother Jerry Deck handmade 70 wooden toys and accumulated 272 hrs. In addition, he also supplied jewelry for the jewelry boxes, play babies for baby cradles, crayons, paper, and pencils for the craft boxes. These items are a big hit with the Christmas Program at SFEC.
The following statistics will help you realize how our donations help the folks in Vinton County:
- Dinners: 500 total Dinners (We furnished 18 +)
- Christmas Giving: 185 Families with 427 children (We furnished 110 gifts – 71 gifts and 39 wooden toys)
THANK YOU to all of the Brother Knights that have supported this program.
