Knights of Columbus Council 7091 Presents June Service Awards

Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens recently recognized the winners of its distinguished service awards for the month of June.

Cited by Grand Knight Ernie Conte with the “Knight of the Month” award was Richard Gerst, Jr., with Millie and Bob Santo cited as “Family of the Month.” The service award winners received a certificate and a cash gift and will have use of a designated parking space at the K of C Hall in downtown Winter Haven for a month.

             “We are very pleased to recognize our June service award winners for all of the time and hard work they devote to K of C Council 7091 and the many worthy charitable causes we support. They are also very active in St. Matthew Church,” Conte said, in presenting the awards following a recent council meeting.

Bob and Millie Santo earned the “Family of the Month” award for their active involvement in the K of C and the Columbiettes auxiliary, respectively. Bob Santo is a regular worker at the council’s bi-weekly Bingo, while Millie is an active member and former president of the Columbiettes. They both participate in the annual Tootsie Roll drive and youth activities and are active members of St. Matthew Church.

Gerst was honored for serving as editor of the council’s monthly newsletter, The Cypress Knight, and for running the kitchen at its twice weekly Bingo charity fundraiser. He also is involved in a wide range of youth activities and thus far has recorded 418 service hours for 2010, making him among the council’s top three members service wise.

Knights of Columbus Council 7091 raises funds for local charities with its Sunday and Thursday evening Bingos at the K of C Hall, 401 Third Street, SW in Winter Haven. The doors open to the public at 5:30 pm with a “Quarters Up” round of Bingo. 

Every year, the council donates thousands of dollars raised through Bingo, the annual Tootsie Roll drive and other fundraisers to a wide variety of Winter Haven area charities. The council also supports pro-life activities and sponsors a number of youth events, including an annual K of C Spelling Bee, Basketball Free-Throw Contest and Easter Egg Hunt.