Police and Knights of Columbus join forces to fight the cold

Dec 19, 2014 / 02:16 am

The Knights of Columbus is joining forces with the New Haven Police Department in the Coats for Kids initiative to make winter a little warmer for children and families in need this year.

"With Christmas approaching and the weather getting colder, we are pleased to be able to work on this with the wonderful men and women of the New Haven Police Department," stated Supreme Knight Carl Anderson in a Dec. 18 Knights of Columbus press release.

Hoping to continue the success of their Coats for Kids program, the Knights of Columbus have collected coats to donate to the local police department, who will then distribute the coats to the children and families in need that they meet during their regular courses of duty.

"Meeting real community needs in efficient and innovative ways is a hallmark of the Knights of Columbus," Anderson went on to say, believing that this partnership with the police department is an ideal model of cooperation between private and public servants.

New Haven Police Lieutenant Sam Brown suggested that the officers on duty would be pleased to give away the donated coats during their routine rounds, saying that the idea of Coats for Kids has become a department-wide effort.

Although the police department makes a habit of involving themselves in charitable events and encourages individual acts of kindness, joining with the Knights of Columbus in this effort has allowed them to incorporate charity within their normal routine.

"The men and women of the NHPD are grateful to the Knights of Columbus for their great compassion in helping us all care for the members of our community," stated New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman.

Since 2009, the Knights of Columbus have donated more than 230,000 coats to U.S. and Canadian children. Through their partnership with the NHPD, those in need in Connecticut will receive 4,000 coats this year.