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
