New Haven, USA - The leader of the Knights of Columbus, the world's largest Roman Catholic lay group, plans a national summit to mobilize volunteers in response to the nation's economic crisis.
Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, announced the proposal Jan. 23, after speaking at Fairfield University, which is supporting the project.
"This is a defining moment really for the country," Anderson said.
The summit is set for Feb. 27 in New York City. Anderson has invited dozens of charities, including the Salvation Army and Goodwill, to participate.
The recession is hurting fundraising at a time when charities face growing demand for food, clothing, shelter and job and mental health counseling.
"If greed, one of the worst aspects of human nature, helped push us into this crisis, then one of the best aspects of human nature, generosity, will be necessary to help pull us out," Anderson said in the speech. "Let us work to make that spirit of volunteerism the hallmark of our nation's recovery."
To get more volunteers, the Knights are asking priests to enlist their parishioners. If churches, synagogues and other organizations do the same, Anderson said help can arrive much faster than government programs.
Anderson said he will also ask corporations to expand programs that encourage employees to volunteer and plans to ask representatives of other countries to join the effort.
The Knights of Columbus, based in New Haven, has more than 1.75 million members worldwide. Last year, Knights donated more than $144 million and more than 68 million hours to charity.