Dec. 10, 2014

TICONDEROGA - When students return to St. Mary’s School in Ticonderoga next fall, it will be with the assistance of the Knights of Columbus.

Knights from around New York State have contributed $16,475 to rebuild the school, to date. The latest donation, $5,000, came from the Ticonderoga St. Isaac Jogues Council 333.

The gift was presented to St. Joseph Sister Sharon Dalton, school principal, and Father Kevin McEwan, pastor, following the Knights’ annual Memorial Mass and dinner Nov. 23.

“This has been a challenging time,” Father McEwan said at the dinner, “but the Knights of Columbus and so many people have been very generous.

“Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for all you do to support us,” he said, “not just as a result of our fire, but throughout the year.”

St. Mary’s School was heavily damaged by a suspicious fire Sept. 5, forcing classes to be relocated to the basement of St. Mary’s Church and the First United Methodist Church.

While the school was insured, there will be costs not covered by insurance, Father McEwan said. Work has started to clean up the fire site with plans to repair the building in time for classes next fall.

The Ticonderoga Knights raised $5,000 for the school through a members-only raffle.

“The St. Mary’s fire has been a unifying force that has brought our brotherhood together,” Mike Edson, Ti grand knight, said. “We’re pleased we can make this donation to the school.”

Besides the $5,000 from the Ticonderoga Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s School has received $5,000 from the New York State Knights of Columbus and $6,475 from individual councils in the region.

Making donations were Knights from Plattsburgh, Massena, Keeseville, Canton, Old Forge, Malone, Port Henry Adams, Morrisonville, Peru, Saranac Lake, Indian Lake, Bloomingdale, Champlain, Tupper Lake, Waddington and Winooski, Vt.

Frank McCabe chaired the Ticonderoga raffle, with assistance from Dick Liddell and Les Bilow.

“We did this within the confines of our own club,” McCabe said of the $5,000 donation from Ticonderoga Knights. “We set a goal to raise $5,000 and we did it. It was a good venture.”

There were nine winners in the Ti raffle. Chris Connery, Tom LaPointe, Mike Graney, Chris Blanchard and Joe Liddell each won $100. Wendy Michalak and Tony DiFebbo won $500. Robert Palandrani Sr. won $1,000 and Dominick Viscardi claimed the $2,500 top prize.

The St. Isaac Jogues Council 333 has 259 members and a long history. The local Knights of Columbus formed April 24, 1898, with 42 members.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s organization dedicated to the core principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

The Ticonderoga council has dedicated thousands of hours and monetary gifts to St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s School and the community.

Its emphasis on youth citizenship has included sponsorship of local Little League teams, the Knights of Columbus free throw competition, the Distinguished Young Woman and the Year program and high school athletes and athletic teams.

As a community service the Knights host many social events each year, including the Irishman of the Year dinner, a Valentine’s Day event and many fund-raising dinners and events for local groups and individuals in need.

The Knights of Columbus also host private functions such as graduation, wedding and anniversary parties and receptions.

Knights of Columbus from around New York State have contributed $16,475 to rebuild St. Mary’s School in Ticonderoga which was heavily damaged by fire in September. The latest donation, $5,000, came from the Ticonderoga St. Isaac Jogues Council 333. The gift was presented to  St. Joseph Sister Sharon Dalton, school principal, and Father Kevin McEwan, parish pastor, by Ti Grand Knight Mike Edson following the Knights’ annual Memorial Mass and dinner Nov. 23.