Knights of Columbus giving children coats

The local Knights of Columbus are helping children get through the cold weather this year, giving coats to children who need them.

Frank LaTray, district deputy for for Havre-based Knights of Columbus Council 1644, said this year the Knights are focusing on teens, providing coats made for Knights of Columbus by Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factor, which the local council purchased to give away.

LaTray said the next stop is Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, then the Knights will be in Big Sandy Saturday at Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church during the town’s 2022 Christmas Stroll and bazaar, the organization’s last stop this year.

He said people can call him and his wife, Karen, at 406-390-2872 for more information.

He said the Knights will be taking what coats they have left — he said they have a variety of sizes of coats for teens — to give away in Big Sandy. He added that he will be checking today to see if the local council can get some more coats for this year.

He said the Knights are trying to fill a need with the program.

“I know there are people out there who need a coat,” LaTray said.

He said that the Knights have already distributed coats to Havre High School and in Chinook this year.

Nationwide and in Montana, the Knights have been giving away coats for several years, he said.

LaTray said distributions from other councils have taken place this year in places like Bozeman, Billings and Roundup.

Last year, the first year Council 1644 joined the program, the Knights focused on adults and young children and gave away coats in Chinook, Harlem, Fort Belknap, Hays, Lodge Pole and Havre, Karen LaTray said.

This year they decided to help teens and are focusing on Chinook, Havre, Box Elder, Rocky Boy and Big Sandy, Frank LaTray said.

He said the council hopes to get even more coats next year to expand the program and try to help other towns.

Next year, the Knights may have a selection of coats at the hall where it meets for people to come and pick up coats, LaTray added.

Knights of Columbus Council 1644 covers an area from Malta to Chester and south to about Big Sandy, he said.

He also thanked the generous donors who help the Knights come up with funds to buy the coats, adding that people and businesses in Chinook were especially helpful this year.