With regions of the East Coast still reeling from Hurricane Sandy, the Knights of Columbus announced Thursday, Nov. 15, that its donations to the affected area total more than $500,000.

The amount includes the nearly $350,000 raised by the Knights via online contributions.

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced the amount raised and donated to date at the annual meeting of the Knights of Columbus state leaders, being held in Dallas, Texas.

In addition to more than $450,000 being distributed by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut with the help of local Knights in the affected area, the organization also sent two truckloads of supplies: one to New York and one to New Jersey.

The relief being provided by the Supreme Council is supplementing the relief work being done by local Knights of Columbus councils throughout the affected region. Local councils have engaged in a variety of relief activities, including feeding hurricane victims and collecting and distributing needed supplies.

“Charity is the first principle of the Knights of Columbus,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, “and in a disaster such as this, we are grateful to the many people who have made donations in support of our relief efforts and are pleased to be able to directly aid those most in need.”

Last week, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Supreme Warden George Hanna traveled to some of the hardest hit areas of New York on Staten Island to encourage – and assist – local Knights in their relief efforts. They brought with them from New Haven a truck loaded with relief supplies and a check for $75,000 to assist the relief efforts of Knights in New York.

On Staten Island, they joined New York State Deputy Sal Restivo and dozens of New York Knights in distributing relief supplies at Fr. John C. Drumgoole Council 5917 and toured the devastation at - and in the area surrounding - Manresa Council 2147.

Visiting New Jersey last week was Supreme Treasurer Logan Ludwig, who oversaw the distribution of a truckload of supplies with the help of Vincent Lombardi Council 6552 in Middletown. He also brought a check for $75,000 which will be distributed to those in need by the New Jersey State Council led by State Deputy Dan Rossi.