What Is Possible When Brothers Serve Together

Good evening, Brothers.

I’d like to begin tonight with a short verse from the Gospel of Mark: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.”

That simple verse says a great deal about the kind of life we are called to live as Christians, and it also speaks directly to what we have experienced as a Council over the past few weeks.

Tonight, I want to take a few moments to reflect on what we just accomplished together as a Council. Over the past couple weeks, we completed two major fundraisers: our annual ID Drive, also known to many as the Tootsie Roll Drive, and our Fall Fling.

Both required planning, coordination, time, effort, and a willingness from our Brothers to step forward and serve. And because so many did step forward, both events were very successful. That is something worth recognizing.

Events like these do not happen because of one person. They happen because many Brothers give their time. Some helped organize. Some sold tickets. Some worked tables. Some stood outside collecting donations.

Some helped set up, clean up, move items, speak with parishioners, support guests, or simply fill in wherever help was needed. Each role mattered. And when you put all of those efforts together, you begin to see what is possible when Brothers serve with a common purpose.

But the real success of these events is not only measured by how much money was raised. The greater measure is what those funds allow us to do.

Through the ID Drive, we are able to support individuals and organizations that serve those with intellectual disabilities.

Through the Fall Fling, we strengthen our Council’s ability to support our charities, our parish, our community, families in need, and our Brother Knights when help is needed.

That is the real purpose behind the work. We should be proud of successful events, but even more, we should be grateful for the good that will come from them. Every hour volunteered, every conversation had, every donation received, and every task completed becomes part of something larger than the event itself. That is what makes service meaningful.

As Knights, we are called not only to talk about charity, unity, and fraternity, but to live them. These past few weeks showed those principles in action. Brothers came together. The work was shared. The Council was strengthened. And because of that, others will be helped.

So tonight, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you to every Brother and families who gave time to the ID Drive.

Thank you to every Brother and family who helped make the Fall Fling a success. Thank you to the families who supported us, and to everyone who helped in ways seen and unseen. These efforts remind us that our Council continues to grow not just in numbers, but in impact.

May we continue to be men of faith, men of service, and men who lead by example. God bless you, Brothers.