Behind every good picture is usually an untold story. This is one of them.

One winter word was out that there were actually veterans in our area that were homeless. Two of our knights, Gil Montoya and Bill Jackson, were working at the time at the Durham VA Medical Center. They validated the need and our Assembly went to work on doing something to help.

The first effort was helping with toiletries and socks and then cold weather hit us and we learned that warm coats were needed and that the Knights of many area councils were looking for ways to help. Coats were bought and soon delivered to the Veterans Service Officer at the Durham VA. The first winter we only could purchase a few coats and they could have used many more. Our first load of coats was small–they are not to be found at a bargain price when you look for them.

Behind every active Knight is a spouse who champions their mate and gets involved. Our problem solver in this case–winter coats–was Yolanda Heavlin. She was Lee Heavlin’s spotter. If he had a need and shared it, she would often come up with a possible solution.

One year they came across a local store that had a special purchase of winter parkas and priced them right. They even offered a veteran discount! Yoli and Lee talked about it, and Lee got approval to purchase as many winter coats as he could at an approved amount. Off they went and they came back with lots and lots of coats.

One year they were able to work with the store merchandiser to get a lead on an upcoming special purchase and have coats standing by for pickup. It pays to plan and be prepared to take action.

We lost Yoli in 2022, but Lauralee came to the rescue that year to help her dad locate and load up a lot of parkas.

Our hats are off to Gil Montoya, Bill Jackson, and the Heavlin ladies for their work to help others in need. This is just one of many examples of “We are a Family” in the Knights of Columbus.