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NORWOOD, NEW JERSEY —— Approximately $1,700 was raised for charities at the Norwood Knights of Columbus Immaculate Conception Council’s 21st annual “Legendary” Lenten Fish Fry held Feb. 16 in the gymnasium of Immaculate Conception Parish Center on Summit Street in Norwood.
“You could say we’ve raised over $20,000 with this event over the years, and every year we raise approximately $40,000 [total] to be donated to other charities in the area,” said Jim Flynn, financial secretary, and spokesman for Immaculate Conception Council 9021.
Flynn said approximately 200 people attended the fish fry and said it was “legendary” because it serves as a community gathering for all four parishes who join together to make it a success.
“We call it a great success because not only did it raise funds for all the charities we give to, but it’s a social event where everyone gets together,” he added. He said Council 9021 has 146 members.
In 2017, Immaculate Conception Council donated food cards to local parishes as part of the Knights of Columbus Food for Families program, ran fundraising drives to support disabled citizens and provided donations to women’s shelters.
Proceeds from the event are dedicated to the support of local Catholic parishes and families, community events, and to support people pursuing Catholic religious vocations, said Flynn.
The council is part of the Worldwide Knights of Columbus, a 133-year-old Catholic fraternal organization with over two million members who donated over $170 million and 75 million volunteer hours to charity in 2017.
The council also honors police, fire and EMS men and women at its Shield Awards Dinner. Other fundraisers include a pasta dinner in May and a “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” celebration in September.
The Immaculate Conception Council 9021 serves the parishes of St. Pius X, Old Tappan; Immaculate Conception, Norwood; St. Anthony, Northvale; and Sacred Heart, Haworth. K. of C. membership is open to Catholic men over 18, said Flynn.
–Michael Olohan
Photos by Murray Bass