Stuttgart Knights of Columbus - Chaplain (MAJ) Charles J. Watters Council
Knights Give to Kazakhstan Orphanage
STUTTGART, Germany. For the children of the Botagoz orphanage in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, life will be a little brighter this year due to the charitable giving of the Stuttgart, Germany military Catholic community.
An April donation drive, co-organized by the local chapters of the Stuttgart Knights of Columbus and the Military Council of Catholic Women, raised over $2200 in direct cash contributions and over $250 worth of basic medical supplies.
The donations were hand-delivered in May by a local parish family during travel to Kazakhstan for their own adoption. Major Bob Sims and his wife Laura spent 3 weeks in Karaganda, Kazakhstan during the month of May.
"The purpose of our trip was two-fold. First, to fulfill our own personal dreams of adopting from Kazakhstan. Secondly, to demonstrate in-person the incredible character and compassion of our military families serving in the Stuttgart area," said Major Sims.
The cash donations enabled the Sims family to purchase sorely-needed goods while in Karaganda. They delivered new children's clothing, a new clothes washing machine, infant walkers, and fresh foodstuffs to the orphanage. The critical medications included basic items such as diaper cream and antibiotic ointment.
"Although the orphanage staff is very caring, they simply don't have the budget or supplies to provide the basic items for children's care that we usually take for granted in the US or Western Europe," observed Major Sims.
Chaplain (Major) Tettey Bleboo, the pastor of the Stuttgart military Catholic community, observed that "the Sims family's trip represented an excellent opportunity for our parish to provide for the immediate needs of some less-fortunate children in the world. The amount of contributions raised over just a few weeks was an incredible reflection on the impressive character of our local community."
Navy Captain Matt Ragan, a long-time member of the Stuttgart Knights of Columbus, agreed.
"This project really highlighted the caring and giving spirit of our diverse local military community. Sometimes, people just need to know about worthwhile projects, and a trusted way for them to help. This particular effort was just the right combination," stated Ragan.
Those seeking more information about this charity drive or the Stuttgart Catholic community can visit the Stuttgart Knights of Columbus website, www.kofcstuttgart.org.