February 2025 Grand Knight Message
February has been a month of generosity, community spirit, and well-deserved recognition! We’re celebrating the success of our Annual Toy Drive, which made a huge impact thanks to your support. Our Valentine Charity Casino, in partnership with the Shriners, was a fantastic new event that raised funds for important causes. We also congratulate Martin Hickey on receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal and Chris Obodo on being named 2024 Insurance Agent of the Year! Plus, don’t forget to join us for Faith of Our Fathers this month and share your wedding anniversary with us.
Celebrating generosity and community spirit
Wrapping up a remarkable 2024 Toy Drive
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Annual Toy Drive a tremendous success! Your generosity has brightened the lives of so many children in need. As MPP Catherine Fife highlighted, “1 in 4 people are now accessing food banks in Ontario, and schools are stepping in to fill the gap.” She praised the Knights for our efforts, saying, “You are trying to fill the gap of giving children joy—don’t underestimate the impact.”
Read our Toy Drive wrap-up article on our website for more details!

Valentine Charity Casino: A winning partnership
Our first-ever Valentine Charity Casino, held in collaboration with the Shriners, was a huge success! Together, we raised funds for important community charities while enjoying an evening of fun and fellowship. A special thank you to Past Grand Knight Al Wood for spearheading this fantastic initiative. Check out our news article for more highlights and some great photos!

A royal recognition: Congratulations to Martin Hickey
We are thrilled to congratulate Martin Hickey, Manager of the Columbus Conference Centre and Brother Knight, on receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal! This prestigious honor recognizes Martin’s dedication and service to the community. What a well-deserved award! Read more in our news article.
Chris Obodo: 2024 Insurance Agent of the Year
Congratulations to Chris Obodo, who has been named 2024 Insurance Agent of the Year and ranked #5 among Canadian agents! Chris has been an incredible supporter of our council, and we are proud of his achievements. Read more about his success in our news article.
Faith, fellowship, and family
Saint Valentine & celebrating your marriage
February 14th is a wonderful time to remember Saint Valentine—the Patron Saint of Happy Marriages and Love. We would love to celebrate your wedding anniversary with you! Please share your special date with us using this link.
Faith of Our Fathers – Join us!
A reminder that our new Faith of Our Fathers program meets on the second Wednesday of each month. This gathering focuses on faith and fellowship and is open to all gentlemen, both members and future members. We encourage you to attend and deepen your connection with our community.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our council.
Warm regards…
S.K. George Dube
Grand Knight
Waterloo Knights of Columbus Council 5135