HAMILTON, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Knights of Columbus in Ontario donated a record-breaking 20,736 new winter coats to children in need this year through its Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids® program. The Ontario chapter of the organization surpassed its target thanks to the tireless work of its members and insurance agents who collected funds at countless events held throughout the year at its more than 450 councils across the province.
“Providing coats for kids and veterans is the perfect example of the work we do day in and day out,” says David Gelinas, State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus in Ontario. “Charity drives us to meet needs in our community and areas where people are suffering. We’re men who care about others because we care about our shared faith.”
The main recipients of coats included school boards and organizations like McGregor Community Centre in Toronto, Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and Veteran House in Ottawa. These organizations worked with families to identify children and veterans in need and delivered the coats discreetly.
“We’re thrilled by the results, but at the same time, we’re concerned about the growing need we see in our communities and families,” says Sonny Sangemino, General Agent with Knights of Columbus Insurance, who has been contributing to the program for over a decade. “This year’s campaign is another stark reminder that many Canadians are experiencing financial struggles and need the help of a community.”
The more than 57,000 Knights in Ontario — 200,000 in Canada — have now started a new season of gathering funds for the 2026-2027 winter coats program. The organization, along with its insurance agents across the country, invite all persons of goodwill to consider supporting its local fundraisers, which are generally organized through Catholic parishes across Canada.
The Canadian Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids® program started in Ontario in 2016 with 2,676 coats donated. Since then, the program has grown to nearly 2 million coats distributed in Canada and the United States. Last year alone, the Knights in Canada donated 40,000 coats with a total of 18,000 in Ontario.
For more information, visit kofc.org/coatsforkids or ontariokofc.ca.
About the Knights of Columbus
In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into the world’s premier lay Catholic men’s organization, with more than 2.2 million members in over 16,800 local councils. As members of one of the world’s leading charitable organizations, Knights donated more than 48 million service hours and over $197 million for worthy causes in their communities in 2024. The Knights of Columbus also offers a range of life insurance products to members and their families. Knights of Columbus Insurance has more than $124 billion* of life insurance in force. In addition, the organization offers investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through its wholly owned subsidiary, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which holds more than $30 billion** in assets under management. Guided by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, the Knights of Columbus is committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes, by enabling men to grow in their faith and put that faith into action through service to all in need. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, please visit kofc.org/join.
*As of January 1, 2026
**As of January 1, 2026
Contacts
For more information, photos or interviews with one of our spokespersons:
Daniel Torchia
416-275-2151
[email protected]
Jacklyn Gilmor
705-817-8327
[email protected]
