Knights celebrate 50th anniversary

On Oct. 25, the members of the Father Thomas F. B. Carroll Knights of Columbus Council No. 4566 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization, with a dinner at Pompeii Restaurant in West Hempstead.

Lou Palermo, a 50-year member of the chapter, said the organization’s main purpose is to serve the church and the community. The council has more than 300 members, Palermo said, and six of the original 91 members of the organization still serve the community today. “We are a charity organization,” Palermo said. “We believe in patriotism for the country.”

According to Knights member Bill Giberti, the council received its charter on March 16, 1958, with 91 members, The council was named after Father Carroll, he said, a parish priest who was working with other parishioners to form a Knights of Columbus council. Carroll, who wanted to be a charter member, died only four months later. He never got to see his dream of a local chapter come to fruition.

Giberti said the main principle of the Knights of Columbus is charity. Since 1958, the council has raised more than $600,000 for local charities in support of the church, community, the disabled, the elderly and kids.

The men of the council have been responsible for setting up and dedicating the Nativity scene at the LIRR station for more than 40 years.

For more information on joining, call (516) 825-4566 or visit the council at 954 Rockaway Ave.