This past Saturday, Infant Jesus Parish in Woodbury Heights, NJ, and St. Margaret's Knights of Columbus Council #13529 held their annual "Basket and Buffet Bazaar." The parish welcomed Good Counsel House Manager Dominique Coston of the Riverside Home, along with members of Good Counsel staff, Michael Phelps, Tara Ingebritsen, and Samantha Elbertson, for a night of food, fun, and charity.

Parishioners Rob and Denise Dietrich were responsible for organizing this joyful event, raising over $7,500 for the moms and babies of Good Counsel's South Jersey home. The Knights of Columbus Council #13529 also presented Good Counsel representatives with a generous donation check of $250.

Father Alfred Mungujakisa, recently back from a trip to Nigeria, kicked off the evening with a beautiful grace about service and charity, and gave thanks for the opportunity to help those who often have no food set on their table. Folks were treated to a full Italian spread by Botto's Italian Line Restaurant. Friends at "Barley Legal Homebrewers Association" served local homebrews from some of their 200 South Jersey members. Delicious wines and dessert were also enjoyed.

There were over 70 baskets with prizes ranging from gorgeous homemade afghans and handcrafted barstools to sports tickets, electronics, and the very popular "Money Tree '' filled with gift cards. DJ John Childress got people up and moving with a variety of feel-good music, and "The Band That No-One Wants to Hire '' provided engaging live entertainment throughout the night.

We are grateful to the parishioners and friends of Infant Jesus Parish for their warmth and generosity. A heartfelt thank you to the Dietrichs and the Knights for all their hard work.

St. Margaret's KofC and Infant Jesus Parish was one of the first communities to support Good Counsel's mission in Riverside, NJ. Their tireless work and the joy with which they give is inspiring. At Good Counsel, we will remember in prayer all those who volunteered, donated, purchased tickets, and participated in this great effort to champion LIFE in South Jersey.

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