On a global level, the Knights of Columbus is composed of more than 12,000 local councils and over 1.6 million members throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

In the past decade, these councils have contributed almost US$1 billion to charitable causes and have donated 400 million hours of volunteer service, supporting causes ranging from the Special Olympics to medical research to the needy.

At the local level, The Knights of Columbus Council 5793 is very active in the Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Stayner areas, supporting the following programs in our community:

  • the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre fundraising program;
  • sponsorship of needy children so they can attend the Columbus Boys Camp;
  • the "Adopt a Highway" clean up program on a 3 km stretch of Highway 26 running east from Hume Street / Pretty River Parkway in Collingwood;
  • the basketball free throw competition in our area schools;
  • the St. Vincent de Paul food bank that provides food and financial assistance to needy families in our area;
  • the Salvation Army food bank;
  • the Arthritis Society;
  • yearly scholarships to high school graduating students who are continuing with their post secondary education;
  • My Friends House, a local women's shelter;
  • the people of Walkerton during their water crisis.
In addition to these activities, our council sponsors seminarians at St. Augustine's Seminary on a yearly basis, the Martyrs Shrine in Midland, Rosary Sunday, the area Right to Life program, the Keep Christ in Christmas promotion through newspaper ads and our two elementary schools, St. Mary's and St. Noel Chabanel. And of course, we participate in the local Santa Clause parade.

The overhead associated with our fundraising activities is very low, thus ensuring that funds get to where they're needed in an efficient and timely manner. Unfortunately, the demand for our support continues to grow. We remain resolved in our determination to address this need.