NINE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCILS AND ASSEMBLIES IN THE TRENTON DIOCESE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF NJ STATE DEPUTY JIM STOEVER, AND MANAGED BY THE TRENTON DIOCESE FEDERATION OF KNIGHTS, INITIATED A PROGRAM THAT PAYS THE TRANSPORTATION COSTS OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL STATIONED IN NEW JERSEY TO RETURN HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.

ALTHOUGH WE SUPPORT ALL OF THE BASES IN THE STATE, OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS THE JOINT BASE OF MCGUIRE/DIX/LAKEHURST, GIVEN ITS LARGE POPULATION OF SERVICE PERSONNEL, WHICH INCLUDES THE ARMY, NAVY, COAST GUARD, AIR FORCE & MARINES.  WE WORK WITH THE BASE CHAPLAINS, OFFICERS & NCOS IN IDENTIFYING RECIPIENTS.  THE ONLY RESTRICTION FOR APPLICANTS IS THAT THEIR RANK CAN BE NO HIGHER THAN AN E4.

THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS, AS HAS BEEN THE OUTPOURING OF THANKS AND APPRECIATION FROM THE MEN AND WOMEN WE HAVE SENT HOME.  OVER $500,000 HAS BEEN DONATED SINCE THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2013.  THIS HAS ENABLED US TO PURCHASE ROUND-TRIP BUS, TRAIN, AND PLANE TICKETS FOR NEARLY 1,000 AIRMEN, SAILORS, SOLDIERS, COAST GUARD AND MARINES WHO WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET HOME FOR CHRISTMAS WITHOUT OUR HELP. 

WITH NO OVERHEAD COSTS EVERY PENNY DONATED IS USED SOLELY FOR THE TRANSPORTATION FEES OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.  PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION USING THE INFORMATION ON THE LEFT. 

YOUR DONATION CAN BE MADE TAX DEDUCTIBLE BY MAKING YOUR CHECK PAYABLE TO "CENTRAL NEW JERSEY COLUMBIAN CHARITIES", OUR REGISTERED 501c(3).