Members of the Holy Innocents Council of the Knights of Columbus recently celebrated their 50th anniversary with a dinner/dance on Jan. 25.

The Holy Innocents Council was chartered on Jan. 25, 1953, when a group of Catholic men from the areas of Hicksville, Levittown, Plainview and Wantagh formed a council of the Knights of Columbus. The majority of the charter members were parishioners of Holy Family, St. Bernard, St. James and St. Martin of Tours.

Meetings were held in various places in Levittown and Bethpage until the building on Jeffries Road was purchased. Through the efforts of many dedicated brothers and their families, the split-level house was expanded and renovated into a suitable council. This project continues today under the aegis of the Columbus Club of Levittown, the corporate arm of Holy Innocents Council.

There are many stories as to how and why the council was named Holy Innocents. It is said that the name was selected in memory of a child of one of the charter members. The name is appropriate because it is reflective of the charitable works to which Holy Innocents Council is dedicated.

Holy Innocents is in the forefront of supporting the less fortunate of the community. Events that enrich the lives of "special" children and adults are annual events at Holy Innocents Council. These activities include Christmas parties, bowling tournaments, fishing trips and baseball games. Brothers of Holy Innocents have formed a coalition with other community oriented organizations to sponsor a major fundraiser for the Association for Children with Down Syndrome. This yearly event enables them to donate tens of thousands of dollars to ACDS.

The work of the Holy Innocents continues because of the members' dedication to the principles of Columbianism and Americanism. These principles and ideals are alive and well at the small, family-oriented Knights of Columbus Council located in the heart of Levittown.

Information Provided Courtesy of Paul Bopp, past grand knight, Holy Innocents Council.