Bellevue Knights of Columbus grateful for community support
St. Mary's Church providing home for Knights after organization's hall floods
St. Mary's Church providing home for Knights after organization's hall floods
St. Mary's Church providing home for Knights after organization's hall floods
An organization dedicated to serving others finds itself in need. The Bellevue Knights of Columbus Hall was damaged by floodwaters. Nine feet of water swallowed up the hall, threatening its long-standing fish fry. St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bellevue stepped up to give the Knights a home and help for the future.
The damage at the hall is catastrophic.
"It's sad that we've essentially lost everything," said Bellevue Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Bob Hasiak. "What we can salvage remains to be seen."
With feet of floodwater filling the building at the flood's worst, it's expected to be a total loss for the organization.
"It's very disheartening because that building has a lot of history," St. Mary's parishioner Sean Giles said.
The community wants to help the Knights rebuild, which is where the Friday fish fry comes in.
"It's probably just about time that we come out and give our support to them because they've done so much," Pat Flanagan, another parishioner, said.
St. Mary's has hosted the Knight's fish fry throughout Lent. More than 300 people showed up Friday to raise money for the organization.
"It's just great to see the community is coming together to support the Knights and help the flood victims," said Flanagan.
For parishioners, it's a way to live by their faith heading into Easter weekend.
"Part of being a Catholic is being willing to help your neighbor, regardless of their religion," said Giles. "And this is just an example of the Bellevue community."
For an organization that's usually on the giving end of charity, it's humbling to see the community support it.
"Words aren't enough to describe it," Hasiak said. "Each and every brother and Knight is so grateful for each and every person that have come up and helped us with it."
Church officials say about $5,000 will be donated to the Knights of Columbus and other flooding victims.