SOUTHWICK — By the time the audience figures out “whodunit,” the Knights of Columbus in Southwick will have raised thousands of dollars for local families and charities. The organization is raising the money by holding its chief fundraiser of the year, a comical murder mystery on Oct. 26 at Our Lady of the Lake Church.
Southwick’s chapter of the Knights was founded 30 years ago at the church to help fulfill the national organization’s mission of aiding people in need. The Catholic charitable group raises an average $5,000 a year locally, offering financial and material donations to people who need everything from baby food and diapers to clothing, groceries and housing.
“I like to give back to the community. I think it’s important to help people and help foster the right values in children,” said Bill Edinger, grand knight of Southwick Council 11178. “We try to exemplify the Catholic faith. We try to be examples so people, who are non-Catholics, can see us and say we’re good people, and they maybe want to join.”
The murder mystery dinner theater is one of several fundraisers the Knights organize every year. Bob Ritchie, 84, a retired mechanical engineer and salesperson, joined the group 15 years ago, but it took a little bit of arm-twisting.
“I was reluctant to join at first because I had so many other commitments,” he said, “but I have been happy in the group ever since. I tried a meeting and got hooked. They were doing good things for the church and community. I enjoyed the camaraderie and helping people. You can see the happiness when we get together to help someone.”
There are 74 members of the Knights’ local council. People in the fraternal organization come from several towns, including Southwick, Suffield, Granville, Tolland, Westfield and Agawam.
Edinger joined the Knights more than six years ago. The married father of four adult children manages a team of 25 systems and software engineers in Connecticut. When his children were younger, he was involved in Cub Scouts and baseball.
He joined the Knights because he said believes in the group’s founding principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
“Throughout my life, I’ve been involved in various aspects of the community. I took a little time off and found I was missing something. I decided to join the Knights of Columbus because they’re an organization that fits my values. They do a lot of great work, and I wanted to be a part of that,” he said.
Knights of Columbus councils are faith-based organizations affiliated with local Catholic churches. One of Edinger’s missions is adding new members to the group — but that can be a challenge, as participation in parish life has waned over the years.
“In order to be a member, you need to be Catholic, so it does limit the amount of people we can recruit. People are becoming less religious or going to church less. I do see a lot of new families coming into church, which is exciting, but the numbers aren’t there, and that hurts us trying to recruit members. We just don’t have the people to approach.”
Ritchie has been involved in many fundraisers and efforts to help people. He recalls a time when the Knights assisted a man who was renovating his home.
“He was trying to fix up the house to live in. We all got in there and put up drywall and the satisfaction was enormous. It gives a good, warm feeling that we helped somebody,” he said.
The Knights’ approach to raising money and assisting people is non-denominational. They say they aid people regardless of whether they are associated with any religion, and Edinger is inviting everyone to attend the fundraiser.
“We do things for the community, regardless of whether or not you’re Catholic. We’re supporting all families in need,” said Edinger.
The evening of mystery, comedy and dinner takes place 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 224 Sheep Pasture Rd., Southwick. Tickets are $48 per person and include a buffet dinner and admission to the show. For more information or to purchase tickets, call or text 413-569-8440 or email DinnerTheater@KofC11178.org.
