State Treasurer
Brothers all,
I would like to speak to you about the Penney-A-Day fund. For those of you that may not be aware of this very worthwhile program. It is a collection that is added as an additional voluntary donation to your yearly dues. The amount is $3.65 (penny-a-day) that you pay with your dues amount. The financial secretary of the council then sends the amount collected to the State Secretary for deposit into the fund by the State Treasurer.
This program was approved several years ago when it was presented to the delegates at the state convention. By resolution, the funds collected are to be used to assist folks in our state when a major disaster occurs. Currently, we have approximately $7,000 in the fund which started March 1, 2016. Each year funds collected are used if they are needed. If no situation presents itself the funds are held over until June 30 of the following year. At that time it is offered to the Bishops of the state for use by their Catholic Charities. Our state has been fortunate as no major disasters have occurred and we only dispersed $3,700 since June of 2015. Therefore, this past June, we presented each diocese with a check for $4,361.62.
I would like to thank all the councils that have submitted their Penny-A-Day collections so far this year. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. However, as many of you are probably aware, there has been major flooding in the areas surrounding and including Bertie County and Fayetteville. The flooding in Bertie county appears to have been very bad. Click here to see one of many articles about it.
On top of the flooding we've had already, there is a category four hurricane (Matthew) in the Caribbean that is poised to come close to, if not into, our state.
There may be councils that have collected the funds but have not sent them to the state. If so, I ask that you forward them ASAP as there is a very good chance that the funds will be needed if the storm comes to visit. If your council has not participated in this program you may send a donation approved by your council to the State Secretary.
Brothers, please remember that as Knights we put Charity at the top of our list.
Vivat Jesus,
Dan Lange
State Treasurer