June 26, 2025

St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus give out $10,000 to charitable organizations

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

Dave Haslam, executive director of Homework House (left), poses with Ray Dumas (middle) and Tony Markowski at Homework House in Holyoke, June 25. Markowski, the grand knight of St. Michael’s Council 9960, presented Homework House with a $2000 check.

SPRINGFIELD – The Knights of Columbus Council 9960 out of St. Michael Parish in East Longmeadow has given out $10,000 in recent days to charitable organizations. The Knights of Columbus visited the Gray House in Springfield’s North End and Homework House in Holyoke on Wednesday, June 25, presenting each with a $2000 check.

 “The support of St. Michael’s and this check means so much to us,” said Isabella Brady-Prankus, the executive director of the Gray House. The non-profit assists people with transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services.

“With the increase in need we have with our clients, this helps us to provide as much as we can especially during the summer season,” said Brady-Prankus.

The Gray House will use the money to help fund their summer program for children and their food pantry.

“What’s happening today is we’re donating funds that were left by one of our previous members,” said Tony Markowski, the Grand Knight of council 9960. The money was gifted to Council 9960 by Nelson Letendre, who passed away several years ago.

“He left us a bequest and we’ve been holding that a few years through the pandemic. And we decided that money sitting in the bank account doesn’t do anyone any good.”

Homework House in Holyoke also runs a summer program.

“This is amazing. When I received the phone call from Anthony last week, I was full of gratitude. Homework House is a nonprofit that helps with the education gap here in the city of Holyoke. It was started 19 years ago by Sister Jane Morrissey and Sister Maureen. We are continuing their tradition of helping the students in Holyoke,” said Dave Haslam, the executive director of Homework House.

Founded by Father Michael McGivney, the Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, fraternal benefit society. The now Blessed Michael McGinvey is a candidate for sainthood. There are close to two million members of the Knights of Columbus worldwide helping those in need, building a culture of life and sharing the Gospel. Their actions are guided by four principles: charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

“It’s a feeling that is overwhelming to be able to help people that are in need. It’s something that I am glad that we do. We had the money that was just sitting in a bank account and we decided we wanted to give it to five different local charities,” said Ray Dumas, a member of council 9960.

The other charitable organizations which received a $2000 check are the East Longmeadow Council on Aging; the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial and the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Michael’s Parish.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.