Honor Columbus Committee

Chariman: OPEN

Information from Supreme for this committee:

• Honor our Order’s patron. In 1492 Christopher Columbus led Europe to a New World. In 1493, he first set foot in Puerto Rico, and in the years following explored much of coastal Central and South America. Commemorate the accomplishments of the Order’s patron, paying tribute to the man who expanded the known world and brought Christianity to new peoples.
• Schedule a community or cable public-access station showing of Christopher Columbus: Faithful Christ Bearer, a video produced by the Supreme Council office. This 16-minute VHS video chronicles the life of Columbus and accurately portrays him as a bold explorer and a devout man of faith. The video is available free of charge except $3 for shipping and handling from the Supreme Council office.
• Sponsor a youth essay or poster contest with the theme “The Spirit of Discovery” or a similar theme.
• Contact local civic or service organizations and plan Columbus Day events together. Offer your support or manpower for Columbus Day activities currently conducted in your community.
• Purchase books, recordings or videos on Columbus and donate them to your parish or school library.
• Organize wreath-laying ceremonies at a local Columbus statue or launch a campaign to have a statue erected as part of Columbus Day activities.
• Petition your city council or county board to have a park, a street or a municipal building named in honor of Columbus.
• Invite Hispanic and Italian-American societies in your community, who may be celebrating Columbus’ heritage and the origins of his voyage, to participate in your activities.
• Sponsor programs to learn about and highlight the contributions to our society by the original settlers of the Americas— American Indian cultures. Learn about the traditions and histories of the “New World’s” original inhabitants. Hold a fundraiser to benefit American Indian Catholic missions.
• Ask the local library to feature a display of books and materials about Christopher Columbus in the month prior to Columbus Day.
• Explore the history of the Order. Use KofC books, audio visuals and brochures to learn how and why the Order was founded, and discover the events and people that have charted its course. Present the findings at an open house program, a meeting or other council event.
• Contact your mayor or city council to adopt a special proclamation in honor of Columbus and his discovery of the New World.
• Organize a Columbus Day harbor or river cruise/dinner in your area.