ARTICLES

KOVAR helps God’s special people

By Dennis Godfrey
Special to The Catholic Virginian

In 1882 Father Michael J. McGivney of New Haven, Conn. founded the Knights of Columbus to provide for the widows and orphans of Catholic men — Catholic men who banded together under the principles of charity, unity and fraternity.

In 1971, a group of Virginia Knights who focused on charity saw the same unfulfilled needs that Father McGivney saw, only this time it was not the poor Catholic families of New Haven, but God’s special people, those with Intellectual Disability (previously characterized within the medical profession as Mental Retardation). These Virginia Knights banded together to form KOVAR (Knights of Virginia Assisting the Retarded).

KOVAR has grown since 1971 when the Virginia Knights of Columbus took up the challenge to assist citizens with intellectual disability and their families. KOVAR recognized, among other things:

• Small, friendly group homes provide the opportunity for God’s special people to thrive, as opposed to state care facilities.

• Specifically designed vehicles provide more comfortable and safer transportation for those with a disability compared to standard vans or cars.

• Recreational opportunities are just as important to people with intellectual disability as those without.

From this grassroots effort the number of Knights and their ability to raise funds for KOVAR has grown tremendously.

The Knights of Columbus work year round to help those who help God’s special people, regardless of age or religious background. They have conducted fundraisers, such as golf tournaments, haunted houses, dances, Christmas Drives, and even Brunswick stew sales.

These activities culminate in the spring with the annual wearing of yellow aprons and distribution of Tootsie Rolls in parking lots and outside storefronts throughout the state. Over $11 million has been raised since 1971, and more than $11 million has been donated to groups who support those with intellectual disability.

All administrative expenses are covered by the return on investments of funds awaiting the awarding of grants. Every dollar that is raised through donations and fundraisers is used to help those who help God’s Special People.

KOVAR donates more than $50,000 annually to the Special Olympics and is one of the principal sponsors (Platinum) of Special Olympics in Virginia.

Each year Knights donate thousands of volunteer hours to help run the events: coaching, supporting, and guiding young men and women in running, jumping and other athletic events. They conduct award ceremonies, cook for award banquets, and, of course, raise money.

Without KOVAR and the Knights, the Virginia Special Olympic games would be a much different event.

“As an organization whose goal is to bring people together across the great divide of disability, it is Special Olympics Virginia’s privilege to be involved with KOVAR and the Knights of Columbus, an organization which stresses unity as one of its foundational principles,” said Rick Jeffrey, Special Olympics Virginia president. “KOVAR and the Knights are a study in faith and action.”

The ARC of Northern Virginia, which assists groups helping and supporting those with intellectual disability, requested help refurbishing their Visitor Center “where the message conveyed is that we are ALL responsible for creating A Life Like Yours for Virginians with intellectual disabilities.”

KOVAR donated $20,000 to underwrite this unique center which provides educational opportunities to the community.

Other recent examples of KOVAR’s outreach to those helping God’s Special People include:

• $4,300 for a power loom to St. Coletta of Greater Washington, where clients weave towels, scarves and other items. The loom allows those with intellectual disability to create more intricate designs, permitting the sale of items at a higher price. These sales enhance the client’s independence. (The school, now located in Southeast Washington, had its origins in the basement of St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington in 1959 when it was part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.)

• $9,900 to Piedmont Community Services to furnish a new group home for six individuals to live in a family atmosphere.

• $20,000 to Rappahannock Adult Activities, Inc. to furnish a new day support program for adults with intellectual disability.

Additionally, KOVAR regularly assists agencies who buy wheelchair accessible vans to transport clients to work, to medical appointments, to shopping centers and days at the park.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) grant program generally pays for 80 percent of the cost of the vehicles, and KOVAR is often able to provide grants for the remaining 20 percent.

Finally, KOVAR’s home loan program has lent out more than $2,400,000 (and currently has over $900,000 outstanding in loans) to organizations throughout the Commonwealth which provide high quality shelter and care for God’s special people.

These loans have special repayment terms and a zero interest rate to encourage development of facilities meeting the challenge of independent living.

KOVAR has been selected as a Best in America Certified Charity by the Independent Charities of America.

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