Knights’ gift keeps children warm

Esther Short — Every year, the St. John Council of the Knights of Columbus — based at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Northeast 119th Street — sends Santa Claus to donate toys and spread cheer to the children of Open House Ministries, a downtown homeless shelter and service provider. This year, Knights Jerry Andre and Harry Chaffy decided to do “Christmas in January.” On Jan. 22, they arrived with “boxes of new warm coats for every child in the house,” said OHM’s Lucy Gaspar. “It has been so cold outside, and these coats were just what was needed. These men do many other things for our shelter like donate milk, take all of our kids to the movies … and much much more.”