The Knights of Columbus of Michigan recently named the recipients of the 2020 Star Council Award, which is the pinnacle of success for a Knights of Columbus Council.

An impressive 101 chapters of the Knights of Columbus in Michigan have received the Star Council Designation this year. The Star Council Award encourages local councils to increase their service to their local parishes. Star Council Awards are earned by attaining goals that include service programs and fundraising. Winners must complete an annual survey of fraternal activity. The highest achieving councils in Michigan this year include the councils in Houghton, Canton, Cedar Springs and Clinton Township.

State Deputy Walter Winkle Jr. congratulated all the winning councils and acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic will make the work of the Knights of Columbus harder than ever this year. He urged Michigan councils to continue their efforts to help the needy in these challenging times. “Participating in the Leave No Neighbor Behind Program is more important than ever during these times,” Winkle said in a release issued on the Knights of Columbus State Council of Michigan website.

In response to the pandemic, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson announced the Leave No Neighbor Behind initiative in the spring. “Food banks, blood centers and other essential services have been depleted of their vital supplies. There are many people and places that require urgent help,” Anderson told members.

In honor of the beatification effort of Knights of Columbus founder Fr. Michael McGivney, which was announced by the Vatican this year, Anderson has waived Knights of Columbus membership fees for new members who join in August 2020. “What an excellent time to welcome a new member and his family to join your council, joining an order that was founded by a parish priest who no less will be a saint someday soon,” Winkle said in the release.

Members should use the televised masses and parish internet outreach as opportunities to encourage new members to join the Knights of Columbus. “Please go to www.kofc.org/joinus," Winkle said. "Enter MCGIVNEY2020 for the code." New members will then be able to watch the Exemplification on demand.