Knights of Columbus Continue Thanksgiving Dinner Tradition

ERMA – The holidays bring out the best in all of us and the Knights of Columbus (K of C) in Erma enjoys sharing its best in the community. Through its Coats for Kids program, K of C members have been able to purchase 85 coats from participating sponsor, JC Penney in Vineland, to share with needy children in Lower Township. The coats are being delivered this week to all Catholic and public elementary schools in the township for teachers to distribute.
Also this year, the club has raised over $1,700 through its “Rock for Kids” beef and beer and member donations. The funds have been used to purchase discounted gift cards from the North Cape May Acme and will benefit the Catholic Charities and CMC Food Bank in Rio Grande.
Its Thanksgiving Dinner has become a tradition that has grown from serving 50 to almost 250 people since 2005. This tradition began when club officer Ramiro Yabor realized that a few members of the club spent Thanksgiving alone and decided to offer the dinner, an idea that fellow officers and members of the club agreed with. These and many others volunteer their time each year to serve the elderly and people who do not have a family to celebrate with. Volunteers for the event include children, couples and singles, with Eileen and Frank Casey cooking the turkeys, Pat and Lou Ginsberg preparing stuffing, and Ray Bender making soups and gravy. More than 20 additional volunteers serve as waitstaff.
I spoke with Ramiro Yabor and Eileen Casey, who mentioned local businesses they would like to thank for assisting in making the dinner a success. “The North Cape May Acme donates turkeys, and produce is donated by Legates Farm Market and Tony’s Villas Produce. Pies come from the Lower Township Moose Lodge.”
Mrs. Krause’s first grade class from Cape Trinity Catholic School in Wildwood makes the placemats each year. This Thanksgiving, the Greater Cape May Elks Lodge has promised $1,000 toward the purchase of food. 16 turkeys are prepared for the event, and extras are donated to the Lower Township Moose Lodge for use in family Christmas baskets. A turkey is also donated to the Disabled American Veterans Organization in Del Haven.
People who have attended the event return each year and spread the word to other members of the community. The dinner is held in the Knights of Columbus dining room, 324 Breakwater Road, with seating at 12 or 2 p.m. Reservations are required no later than Nov. 25 by calling the club at 884-9643 between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. or Ramiro Yabor at 884-9073. Transportation is available.
Ramiro gives a special thanks to everyone who donates their time and money for club events during the holidays and all year long. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organization, but Ramio said, “if there is a need in the community, the Knights of Columbus can handle it, regardless of religion.”
To contact Linda Duffy, email lduffy@cmcherald.com.