Contact:  David Reich
(212) 573-6000
david@reichcommunications.com

 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS TURN OUT FOR THE CHRISTOPHERS DESPITE MASSIVE SNOW

NEW YORK, March 3, 2010 – The Knights of Columbus Westchester-Putnam Conference welcomed Pam Hammond, the National Leadership Coordinator for The Christophers, as the keynote speaker at the 23rd Annual Brendan Toohey Memorial Communion Breakfast at Holy Rosary Church in Hawthorne, NY on Sunday Feb. 28. Despite the massive snowfall which left much of the area stuck at home, the event was attended by 150 Knights from throughout Westchester-Putnam Counties along with numerous confirmation students from the parish. 

Hammond shared the vast scope of The Christophers mission and ministries leaving all in attendance impressed and wanting more information. She began with the history of the organization which was founded in 1945 by Maryknoll missioner Father James Keller who saw that there was a need for people of all faiths to come together to engage in constructive action based on gospel values. Fr. Keller believed there were too many people who complained about what was wrong with the world but not enough who took the initiative to make it better. A pioneer in the media field, he used print, radio, television, film, and personal appearances to spread the word.

Today, The Christophers continue that work through Christopher News Notes which cover topics ranging from spiritual values to social issues; the Christopher Closeup radio show and podcast which features famous and not-so-famous individuals discussing how they strive to have a positive influence on the world around them; the Christopher Leadership Course which boasts an impressive  record of success at improving people’s communication skills; the Christopher Awards which honor books, films and TV programs that affirm the highest values of the human spirit; a poster contest for high school students and video contest for college students in which participants artistically convey the power of one person to make a difference; and numerous other activities.

Jim Collins, Grand Knight of the St. Dominic Council which sponsored the annual breakfast, also serves as a Christopher Leadership Course instructor. He wrote the following to Pam Hammond two days after the event - “I wanted to thank you for your beautiful explanation of The Christophers this past Sunday.  I had many people calling me over the past few days complimenting you and your motivational talk.  As you know, each one of the people is uniquely gifted and I do think that, not only did you inspire the Knights and their families, but also the confirmation students who helped…We just do not know what will come from one person hearing this message!”

To learn more about The Christophers visit www.christophers.org

###

Pam Hammond, National Leadership Coordinator for The Christophers, addresses
The Knights of Columbus Westchester-Putnam Conference at the 23rd Annual
Brendan Toohey Memorial Communion Breakfast at Holy Rosary Church
in Hawthorne, NY, on Sunday Feb. 28, 2010.