Help Us Climb Higher, One Coat at a Time
From Ted Devin, Grand Knight of Council 3187:
Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters,
As Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 3187, I’m proud to launch our annual Coats for Kids campaign — a program that brings more than warmth to children in need. It brings comfort, dignity, and the chance to thrive.
For over a decade, our council has quietly delivered 10–15 boxes of brand-new winter coats each year to students in our community who would otherwise face the cold unprepared. This year, we’re setting our sights higher: 25 boxes. That’s 300+ children with the warmth they need to face the winter and focus on learning.
This Year, I’m Climbing for Coats
To kick off this effort, I will personally climb Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, Ireland — one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Ireland. In mid-August, I’ll begin a 7-kilometer hike up a steep and rocky slope, with gradients reaching 60% in the final stretch. The path is uneven, demanding, and deeply symbolic — a reminder that meaningful change often takes effort, faith, and community. Each step I take will be in honor of the children we serve and the difference your generosity makes in their lives.
Why This Matters to Me
I grew up in a small New England coastal barrier beach town with just a few thousand residents year-round, but our population swelled in the summer and strained our limited resources. Winters were bitterly cold. We often lost power. I have vivid memories of studying by candlelight during storms. I was fortunate — I had a warm coat. But many of my friends and neighbors didn’t. I remember foster kids next door, classmates at bus stops, students with red cheeks and cold hands. I remember the Knights — the ones who quietly made sure coats showed up every year. One year, I helped bring those boxes into the Hall. I saw firsthand the joy, the relief, and, in the months that followed, the difference. Attendance improved. Grades went up. Kids stood taller.
Warmth isn’t just physical — it’s emotional. It’s educational. It’s transformational.
Studies have shown that children who are cold or improperly clothed struggle more to concentrate, feel a deeper sense of social exclusion, and are more likely to miss school. And we know from research that educational success builds a foundation for healthier, more secure futures.
One coat won’t change the world. But one coat can change a child’s world.
That’s why I became a Knight; because I saw what a simple, humble act could do for a child, a school, a community.
How You Can Help
We need your help to meet our goal. Every contribution, big or small, takes us closer to putting warmth on a child’s back and confidence in their heart. You can donate via Venmo @ColumbusClubFH (please add “coats” in note).
Sponsor a Coat — $30
Sponsor a Box (12 coats) — $350
Make a Donation — Any amount helps
Share the Mission — Tell others, spread the word
Let’s climb this mountain together — for them.
With gratitude,
Ted Devin,
Grand Knight, Council 3187, Knights of Columbus