Hurricane Laura: Knights of Columbus donate 150,000 for Relief

By Vatican News

The US Diocese of Lake Charles in Lousiana bore the brunt of hurricane Laura on Thursday, one of the strongest storms to ever hit the region. 

The Knights of Columbus is reaching out to those hit by the calamity by donating $150,000 to the diocese.  

“Our prayers are with the people of the Diocese of Lake Charles and with everyone impacted by this destructive storm," Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said in a statement on their website.  "This donation," he said, "is only the first step in our efforts to help with recovery."

In a statement published on their website on Friday, the Knights write that they are often “the first and last on the ground after a disaster strikes”.

Louisiana Knights, in fact, “began recovery efforts immediately by assessing damage, determining pressing needs and identifying staging areas to receive critical supplies”, continues the statement.

Supreme Knight Anderson described the Knights of Columbus as ‘fraternal’, saying that the offers to assist that are “pouring in” from other Knights are a ‘typical reaction’, as ‘we stand shoulder to shoulder, supporting one another in faith and service across the world.’

“The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council is procuring and shipping requested supplies, including gift cards, tools, roofing nails, tarps, bottled water, ready-made food and cleaning supplies”, reads the statement.

Bishop Glen John Provost of the Diocese of Lake Charles thanked the Knights for the assistance, expressing their deep appreciation for their generosity.

The statement concludes, stating that “last year, Knights of Columbus Charities Inc. and Knights of Columbus Canada Charities Inc. gave more than $1.3 million to disaster relief with an additional $3.5 million donated by local Knights councils and assemblies”

Hurricane Laura made landfall near Cameron Parish in Louisiana with sustained winds of 150 mph, making it a high-end Category 4 storm. Laura caused significant damage to buildings in Lake Charles, which sits about 50 miles north of Cameron and has an estimated population of 78,000.

16 people have died as a consequence of the storm.