The Tepeyac OB/GYN center in Fairfax is on the cusp of acquiring a new, 4D ultrasound machine, as a result of the fundraising efforts of the St. John Bosco Knights of Columbus Council 12846 in Springfield and a matching grant from the national Knights. The funds were presented to Tepeyac last month.
In January, Knights from the council, which is affiliated with St. Raymond of Peñafort Church in Springfield, learned of an ultrasound initiative sponsored by the Knights’ supreme council that would match the fundraising efforts of local councils, if certain criteria were met. For example, prerequisites included finding a local provider of prenatal services that could use the machine and obtain a manufacturer’s pricing quote for it, as well as approval from the diocese and Knights’ state secretary.
After the St. John Bosco council raised $20,000, the national Knights contributed $19,699.50 to cover balance of the machine’s cost.
“It was a tedious but very fulfilling initiative” said Phil Bettwy, financial secretary for the St. John Bosco Council. “To save a life and have a mother see her child in the womb is a blessing and worth every amount of money and effort.”
Bettwy also credited Father John C. DeCelles, pastor, for his support during the entire process.
