TOWAMENCIN – Many monumental organizations have arisen from small beginnings; the Susan Goodman Komen foundation began with a thoughtful idea by her younger sister Nancy Goodman Brinker. With the help of a small handful of people who supported her, they created a worldwide foundation with support from millions. Locally in the North Penn community, a similar movement is in the works. A charity organization known as “Knights for Life,” directed by President Steve Melchior, is in the early stages of its rapid growth. Early beginnings should never be forgotten and founder Steve Melchior reflectd on his impetus for starting the foundation.
“Last [fall], my brother who was 46, was diagnosed with colon cancer and wound up passing away from it; 2 months later, Mike Sacks, who was also a North Penn graduate like my brother and a member of my bridal party, passed away from brain cancer. So it all happened within a couple months of each other. Two months after those events I just started thinking about their loss, and started talking to some other alumni from North Penn who graduated around the same time as us. It hit us all pretty hard and we thought well what we could do at this point because we wanted to try and honor their memory. So we got together and we decided that there were a lot of alumni in the area and there’s really no way to keep each other in touch. So we thought it would be really cool to start this foundation called “Knights for Life,” said Melchior.
“Knights for Life” has a board of twelve people including President Steve Melchior, Vice President Tom Klock and board members Todd Harper, Laura Smith, Karen Rowland, Sandy Choyce and Sandy Valencik. Membership will be open to current students or to anybody that has graduated from North Penn as they grow it in future years. Knights for Life is aimed at helping form a bond or a union that can get together and give money and do events to give money back to families and other people that go through any struggles such as illness or loss.
“We’ve run a few events and have raised 10-15 thousand dollars so far, we’ve helped many families just by giving 300-500 dollars during a time of need which can help for all kinds of different things, such as groceries, medical bills, whatever they may need assistance with. Plus it helps build a sense of camaraderie and unity amongst a lot of alumni that wish they could stay in touch but lose touch. It has helped us out, along with the families in need, in a lot of ways,” expressed Melchior.
They have met with Dr. Dietrich and the educational services center to try to become a foundation, and very recently they have discussed forming a club in the high school which would be run by students with an advisor, enabling North Penn students with an easier opportunity to get involved.
“It’s not only great for them but it’s also great for us because many times the students are the ones that know of other students and families that are hurting and need help,” said Melchior.
“Our website is almost up and running and we looking forward to 2013 with a nonprofit status and a formal process of applying for help or aid. It’s a work in progress and so far we’ve been able to lend some help to families that just need to know that people are around and care and can help them through things,” said Melchior.
They have had events throughout the year, including a horseshoe tournament, wiffle ball tournament, and they are planning to host Knights before Christmas shopping event this November as well as a dinner in early January of 2013.
“We would like to get affiliated with North Penn school district so we can become partners to help families in the area. The idea is that when somebody walks out of the doors as a senior, they know about Knights for Life, they know how to get connected to it, how to get on our website or mailing list. They can get involved going forward if they so choose.”
Knights for Life is a wonderful organization to get involved with for all North Penn students. For more information on opportunities to get involved, check out their Facebook group page “Knights for Life.”