Four-time Star Assembly Winner 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023
Where there is a need, there is a Knight
4th Degree Knights from Norwalk assist a Veteran in Need
NORWALK-Usually, Labor Day weekend is a time for vacations or cook-out, but today more than 20 volunteers from Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100-4th Degree helped make a difference in a day for a Brother Knight and Marine Corps veteran, Jack Consiglio.
Back in October 2021, Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick Assembly 100 (4th Degree) Faithful Navigator George Ribellino invited Carol May from House of Heroes to speak to the 4th Degree Knights at their monthly meeting. Ribellino saw a project that HOH was working on and felt this was something that Assembly 100 should be doing. The Assembly has been doing projects since that time.
“Since the main principle of the 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus is patriotism, what better way to show our patriotism is by assisting a local veteran in need,” said Ribellino.
Assembly 100 held its annual Patriot Dinner in April to raise funds to sponsor this project.
“The members love this partnership with House of Heroes and will use the Patriot Dinner to raise funds to host a project every year” said Ribellino.
House of Heroes’ privilege to honor U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Jack Consiglio. Jack was born in 1948 and raised in Manhattan. He attended Richmond Hill High School in Queens, and drafted to serve during the Vietnam War, joining the Marine Corps in 1968.
Jack’s basic training took place at Parris Island, South Carolina. Though it was the height of the Vietnam War, Jack was never sent overseas, serving instead stateside at Camp Pendleton in California and Camp Lejeune in South Carolina as a mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1970 and awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Marksman Badge and Good Conduct Medal.
Of his service, Jack simply says he is proud to have served his country.
A “Jack” of all trades, Jack worked for many years for the Metropolitan Transit Authority. A proud member of the Knights of Columbus Council 14360 of St. Matthew Church in Norwalk, Jack also worked in the maintenance department of the church alongside his friend and fellow Knight, Tim Horne. Says Tim of his friend, “Jack knew how to do everything and if something needed to be fixed or built at the church, he did it. He would cut out a six-foot Santa Claus and make his own Christmas bells and hang them on the tree. He would cut up cars and build hot rods.
“He is a loving person who would give his right arm to help someone.”
Life is a bit challenging these days for Jack, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and dementia. His family, including wife Frances and son Jack, Jr., is appreciative of the assistance provided by House of Heroes and the Knights.
“This is so special,” says Tim Horne.
Volunteers worked on power washing the house, weeded and mulched garden beds, trimmed bushes, built brand new steps and stained the backyard deck.
“It is a special privilege to collaborate with the Knights of Columbus to honor and serve these most deserving veterans, who have given so much to our nation and their communities,” said May.
“I want to thank my great crew of Brother Knights and families by doing God’s work and putting their faith in action by helping those in need,” Ribellino said.
A special thanks to Brother Tim Horne for power washing the deck to prep for painting, Brother AJ Cossuto, owner of AJ’s Landscaping for donating the mulch and Leonardo’s Pizza for serving a wonderful lunch.
House of Heroes Connecticut is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that recognizes, honors, and serves military and public safety veterans and/or their surviving spouses in need for their sacrificial service to America. Part of a national organization founded in Columbus, Georgia in 2000, the organization provides one-day, no-cost home improvements with a priority placed on safety and accessibility. For more information, visit www.hohct.org.
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Save the Date!
We are joining forces again this year with The Rotary Club of Wilton to run the Wilton Rotary Carnival on September 13th-September 15th on 395 Danbury Road on the corner of Route 7 and School Road. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact FN George Ribellino at [email protected].
Funds raised will go to helping those in need in the local community including Coats for Kids, Food for Families program, our vets at Homes for Brave and House of Heroes CT.
