The city of Isanti and the Knights of Columbus are teaming up to provide winter jackets for children in need this cold season.
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During the Isanti City Council meeting Oct. 4, the council approved a resolution authorizing staff to accept the Knights of Columbus winter jacket donation.
Isanti Police Chief Gene Hill explained the Knights of Columbus asked the Police Department to help identify children in need and distribute the jackets so it can be done anonymously.
Hill said the Police Department will work with the Isanti school resource officer and social workers to help identify the children in Isanti who could use a jacket. He explained the department currently has 24 jackets to disperse.
Rick Dassinger with the Knights of Columbus from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, explained the Knights provided two boxes of jackets that were distributed last year in the city of Isanti and are pleased to have two boxes again this year to distribute. There are 12 jackets in each box.
Dassinger mentioned there are also two more boxes at the church to distribute as more are needed.
“It’s a nationwide program for coats to get them to the kids that need them,” Dassinger said. “And if need be, we can purchase adult sizes. But so far, the key and focus for our group is for kids’ coats. At the church we’ve got boxes for people to put in gently used coats, hats, mittens and stuff like that.”
Isanti Mayor George Wimmer thanked the Knights of Columbus for their donation.
“I couldn’t love this anymore, as a boy who relied on the great nuns at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in my hometown in Medford, Wisconsin, for jackets for about nine years of my life,” Wimmer said. “I really appreciate this.”
Trek-or-Treat Walkathon
The City Council approved a special event request for a walkathon for the Art and Science Academy Parent Advisory Council.
The fundraising event will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 31 and have approximately 310 students, parents and volunteers participating.
The walkathon will begin and end at the Art and Science Academy, located at 903 Sixth Ave. Court NE. The children will walk along the designated route with their individual classes and teachers and collect candy or other trinkets that will be handed out by either parent volunteers or local businesses who have offered their time and supply of the candy or trinkets.
Parent Advisory Council Member Megan Hawkinson explained this is the second annual event, and the funds will be used to purchase Chromebooks for the students.
