Brother Ed Valente, RIP

Our brother Ed Valente passed from this life on October 23 at 79 years young.  His funeral will be Friday, October 30, at 11:00 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Take a moment to read Ed's obituary and reflect upon a life well lived. 

Backpack Stuffing

Those arriving early for the October council meeting were met by a veritable wall of shipping boxes full of backpacks, blankets, caps, gloves, socks, tarps, thermal mylar blankets, rain ponchos and hand/body/foot warmers.  As each arrived they were put to work, first unpacking all the backpacks and prepping them for the stuffing. It's amazing the packaging that goes with each backpack!  As that was going on, brother Kroll was setting up the assembly line for action. Then all started down the assembly line: first pick up a backpack, put in a tarp, put in a blanket, then gloves, knit cap, socks, rain poncho, mylar blanket, and finally the warmers.  Every knight arriving joined in. Maybe too many. Then the efficiency experts got involved and found ways to improve the processes: two lines, a closure team, pre-assembling the final five items.  We were done in a flash.  

 Here's the assembly line in action:

And here is the chaos when more and more knights arrived to help:

At the end of the night there was one knight left stuffing the backpacks into boxes to get ready for deliveries.  Wonder who?

Knight of the Month Tim Kroll

Our Knight of the Month for October 2026 is Sir Knight Tim Kroll.

SK Kroll has been a dominant force for the unhoused within our Fraternity. On his own, Tim obtained a grant that has now doubled in size from the original. The project that was once called Blankets for the Homeless is now called Backpacks for the Homeless. Blankets, gloves, socks, warmers and other cold gear are included in the 150 backpacks for 2026.

Additionally, Tim completed Survive the 55 walk for suicide prevention in our law enforcement community. Tim also co-chaired the Columbus Dinner.

Tim is a Knight with no bounds.

Veterans Support Raffle

Our council was asked to support the Fourth Degree Assembly's veterans outreach through their Veterans Support Raffle. Proceeds support local veterans programs in the Cape Fear area.  This fundraiser will help the Fourth Degree, through your participation, to do more for the veteran community at organizations like the Ashley House, Save-A-Vet Now,  Honor Flight, and many others.

1st Prize - $500 2nd Prize - $250 3rd Prize - $125

Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 when purchased in person; or $10 for three when purchased online by clicking HERE or using the above QR code. The drawing will be on November 17 - in time for Thanksgiving grocery shopping. For other purchase options contact Greg Decker.