Knights of Columbus in Medina donates $2K to Operation Honor

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 September 2022 at 3:49 pm

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Knights of Columbus in Medina presented a check for $2,000 today to Jenn Thom on behalf of Operation Honor. The check represents part of the proceeds from the Knights’ golf tournament July 30. Seated are Skip Draper, treasurer, left, and Kevin Bogan, Deputy Grand Knight. Standing from left are Jim Mirand, financial secretary; Dave Bellucci, chair of the golf tournament; Archie Washak; Jenn Thom, founder of Operation Honor; Steve Winans; and Howie Gardner, recorder. Absent is Grand Knight Mike Fuller.

MEDINA – Supporting local veterans is a favorite initiative of the Medina Knights of Columbus, who hold a golf tournament every year to benefit a good cause in the community.

This Knights this morning presented a check for $2,000 to Jenn Thom, founder of Operation Honor, a group which supports veterans in Orleans County. In previous years the Knights’ golf tournament has funded donations to the Warrior House in West Shelby, Operation Honor and the Veterans Van Service. More recently, they provided financial assistance to two local veterans, Thom said.

The Knights have been sponsoring a golf tournament since 2003, when they started the first one to benefit a scholarship fund for the late Larry Schrader, who had been a board member of the Knights of Columbus. The tournament has taken place every year since, except in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.

“When the scholarship fund was doing well, we decided to find another charity to support,” said Dave Bellucci, who heads the golf tournament.

The tournament this year took place July 30 at Shelridge Country Club, with 88 golfers participating.

Operation Honor was founded by Thom and another friend who wanted to do something to help local veterans. They also sponsor an annual 5K run, which will take place this year on Nov. 12 at Junior Wilson Club.

Thom expressed their gratitude for the support of Operation Honor. In addition to the Knights, the owner of Arby’s in Batavia, Bill Meland, has become a supporter of the organization. Not only does he golf in the Knight’s tournament, but for the second year he will donate 10% of Arby’s proceeds during the month of October to Operation Honor.