Alhamar Caravan #4 hosted a Marian rosary devotion at Christ the King Chapel on the campus of King's College. The prayer service, held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., featured live music and vocals by Geraldine Molitoris, a mother of four who is expecting her fifth child on December 8.
Fr. James McGahagan led the rosary service. Grand Commander Donna Magni read a list of intentions, which included prayers for families with special needs, the continued success of the Order, and a tribute to the Order’s Patroness, Our Lady of Fatima.
Members of Alhamar #4—John Brzycki, Marilyn Krall, Fr. McGahagan, Sharon Yale, and Michael Young—each led a decade of the Luminous Mysteries. Geraldine Molitoris enhanced the spiritual atmosphere by leading Marian hymns throughout the service. A highlight of the evening was her performance of an original composition titled Love Like You (Oh, Mary).
The devotion concluded with a final blessing from Fr. McGahagan.
Alhamar Caravan No. 4 was invited to set up a volunteer information table in the Cruisin for a Cause Car Show held at Marywood University. The event, sponsored in part by the university’s pro-life student club S.O.U.L., brought together students, families, and car enthusiasts.
With over 75 classic cars on display, live music, and a food truck, the event benefited St. Joseph’s Center, a local organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Ada Magni, SE, SD R2, distributed information about volunteer opportunities and engaged with students. The warm fall weather made it a very enjoyable event.
Representatives from Alhamar #4 participated in the University of Scranton’s volunteer fair, to connect with students and promote community involvement. Among those present were Ada Magni, SE, SD R2, and Patrick Williams, Captain of the Bodyguard, who welcomed students and shared the mission of the organization.
Approximately 20 students visited the Alhamar #4 table, where they learned about volunteer opportunities and engaged in lively conversations sparked by Williams’ distinctive fez and a historic gavel from the 1951 convention in Quebec. The event served as a strategic outreach effort to raise visibility among the university’s 800+ student body.
Fr. Ronald McKinney, a Jesuit philosophy professor at the university, stopped by for a meaningful discussion with Williams, expressing interest in learning more about the Order.
Returning volunteers Bridget, Jane, and Catarina—juniors at the university—also visited the booth. The trio previously supported Special Olympics bowling events and plan to continue volunteering this fall at Chacko's Bowling Center in Wilkes-Barre. Despite their busy academic schedules, they made time to reconnect with the organization, a gesture that was deeply appreciated by Alhamar #4.
The group expressed gratitude for the students’ ongoing commitment and enthusiasm, which continues to make a positive impact in the community.
Alhamar Caravan No. 4 held its annual festival honoring individuals with intellectual disabilities and their guests on August 17 at the Polish American Veterans Pavilion in Plains, PA.
Attendees enjoyed classic picnic fare, while each special needs guest received plush toys, T-shirts, and a raffle prize. The festival was made possible through the support of numerous sponsors, including corporate sponsor Bonner Chevrolet of Kingston, located at 694 Wyoming Avenue. Contributions came in both monetary and in-kind forms, helping to create a memorable experience for all.
Door prizes included four club-level tickets to the August 26 RailRiders game, donated by PNC Bank, and two passes to Montage Mountain Waterpark.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, there was live entertainment provided by local band The Impastas. Volunteers played a crucial role in organizing and running this years event, ensuring its continued success.
This year’s program ad book honored Ryan Pettipaw, a recent marketing graduate from King's College. Pettipaw was recognized for his three years of dedicated service to Special Olympics athletes, cheering them on during Saturday morning bowling sessions at Chacko's Bowling Center. He also helped organize spring dances on the King's College campus from 2023 to 2025, creating joyful experiences for the athletes. In gratitude for his commitment and friendship to “God’s Special People,” Alhamar Caravan No. 4 presented Pettipaw with a special gift for the occasion.
Alhamar Caravan No. 4 hosted a memorable outing for the Special Olympics bowlers who play Saturday mornings at Chacko’s Bowling Center. Also invited were their families and guests. The group was treated to a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders baseball game against the Worcester Red Sox.
Over 30 attendees enjoyed the exclusive 1st base party deck, which included game tickets, parking passes, VIP entrance, access to the Geisinger Champions Club, and an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, mac and cheese, cookies, Wise Chips, and soda.
The highlight of the evening was a visit from Champ, the beloved mascot of the RailRiders. The night was capped off with a thrilling victory for the RailRiders, much to the delight of all the guests.
Over the weekend, several dedicated Alhambrans and their families from Region VI provided a helping hand at St. Francis Camp on the Lake. Their collective efforts were instrumental in preparing the camp for the upcoming summer season. The camp and its new director, Josh Brink are almost ready for the season's first campers who will be arrive in June.
Among the volunteers, Alhambran Editor John Vella was notably busy with a power washer, diligently cleaning the deck surfaces around the lodges. Meanwhile, other volunteers raked leaves, performed minor repairs, and thoroughly cleaned the kitchen and lodge areas.
A heartfelt "Well Done" goes out to the members of Region VI for their hard work and dedication in preparing St. Francis Camp to receive some very excited guests.
Alhamar Caravan No. 4 organized a delightful spring dinner dance for Special Olympics bowlers and their guests at King's College, Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center. DJ Joseph Hussey from Jester Entertainment provided music, while Chartwells catered a sit-down meal. Gifted raffle prizes enhanced the event for the athletes.
Alhamar Caravan No. 4 extends heartfelt gratitude to the corporate sponsors who made the event possible: Bonner Chevrolet in Kingston, Peoples Security Bank and Trust in Kingston, and Diamond Manufacturing in West Wyoming. Special thanks also go to Evans King Floral in Forty Fort and Booyah! Burgers & Bites in Wyoming for their generous in-kind donations.
During the event, Grand Commander Donna Magni presented a donation from Alhamar's charity fund to The Luzerne Foundation. The mayor of Wilkes-Barre, George C. Brown, accepted the check on behalf of the foundation. Mayor Brown has been a steadfast supporter of individuals with special needs for many years, and the funds will be used for the Bog All Inclusive Playground in Miners Mill.
Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of Ryan Pettipaw, a senior marketing major at King's College. Grand Commander Magni awarded Ryan a certificate of appreciation and a monetary gift for his dedicated volunteer work with Special Olympics bowlers over the past three years. Ryan has coordinated spring and Halloween dances for the athletes and recruited King's College student volunteers to assist with events. His contributions will be greatly missed.
The athletes particularly enjoyed the music and dancing with King's College student volunteers, making it a fun-filled evening!
St. Francis Camp on the Lake which serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities, marked its 40th anniversary with a gala fundraiser in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. By all accounts, the event was a resounding success.
The evening featured a wonderful dinner catered by Marchiori Catering, with musical entertainment provided by Sir Noble and DJ Rob Wojtylo. Guests were each given a box of special culinary treats; including delicious macaroons and deluxe chocolates crafted by students at the Rising Stars Academy, an institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for disabled adults. Attendees also received beautiful glass mementos made by the students.
The gala was filled with excitement, including raffles, drawings, and prizes. The Master of Ceremonies, SN Mike Malinowski, paid tribute to the late Past Supreme Scribe and camp supporter Gary Decarlo by raising a special mug in his memory. Heartfelt speeches were delivered by parents of former campers and past Camp Director Tammy Kerchkof also shared her thoughts on how the camp impacts the children it serves.
St. Francis Camp on the Lake is jointly owned by several Alhambra Caravans from Michigan, Region VI. The camp’s success over the past 40 years is a testament to the dedication of countless volunteers and the generosity of donors. Highlighting the evening, Michigan Knights of Columbus State Deputy Barry Borsenik surprised attendees with a generous $20,000 donation from their annual K of C Tootsie Roll drive. Camp presidents both past and present can't say enough about their deep gratitude for the unwavering support from the Knights over the years. On top of this, Alhambra’s Galicia, Manresa, and Sancho Caravans each contributed $4,000 to $5,000 in further support of the camp.
On behalf of St. Francis Camp on the Lake, thank you to all our sponsors, donors and everyone who attended or played some small part in the success of the 40th Anniversary Gala.
Galicia Caravan No. 77 held its annual Memorial Service to honor local Alhambrans and Sultanas who passed away over the past year. Members of Sancho Caravan No. 216 also attended the service. Together, they prayed for Sir and Lady Nobles: Rev. Robert Hayes William III, Stan Brazier, Barbara Kaiser, Ronald Lesniak, Gloria Longueuil, PSS Gary De Carlo, and Walter Ziemniak, along with Sultanas: Sister Noreen Tenbush, Paula Kreinbring, and Dolores Merecki. Special thanks were extended to chaplain Fr. Ronald DeHondt and the parishioners of St. Margaret of Scotland Church in St. Clair Shores, MI, for graciously allowing the use of their church and parish hall.
Alhamar Caravan No. 4 extended heartfelt thanks to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins hockey team and ASM Global for their generous donation of 35 hockey tickets, VIP parking passes, and an upper suite for the Penguins' game on January 26th. The attendees enjoyed a fantastic experience in the private suite. Bonner Chevrolet in Kingston, sponsored an array of delicious treats including hot dogs, pizza, waffle fries, bottomless popcorn, and drinks.
The event was a memorable one for the Special Olympics bowlers, members, and guests, who watched the game in style. The day's theme, "Kid's Takeover," featured visits from local community mascots, adding to the already exciting atmosphere. The celebration was further highlighted by a special cake for TUX, the team's mascot, in honor of his birthday. The excitement peaked with the Penguins securing a victory. Go Penguins!
St. Francis Camp on the Lake which is run by the Caravans of Michigan Region VI is pleased to announce that Hillsdale native Joshua Brink has joined the team as Camp Director. Read more about Joshua on the camp's website by clicking this link.