Knights in Service: A Year of Community Impact

The Northridge Service Club had an outstanding year of giving back to the community. Led by President Eamon Faherty and Vice President Stephen Castillo, and powered by a exceptionally dedicated group of members, the Knights gave their time and energy generously throughout the year.

Game Night celebrated its second annual edition, drawing over 150 students from more than 10 local private schools for an evening of friendly competition and generosity. Building on last year’s success, the club added two new roulette tables and an event-wide bingo game that determined the night’s ultimate winners. First place went to Ethan Tait (11th), who took home a giant outdoor Bluetooth speaker; second place to Gabe White (11th) for $100 in Crumbl Cookie gift cards; and third place to Ian Macfarlane (10th) for a Giant Squishmallow. The boys rose to the occasion, raising approximately $4,200 for the Wounded Warriors Foundation, a remarkable 67% increase from the previous year.

The “Anything but Turkey” Food Drive collected donations for the Ignatian Mission Center, a food bank in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood founded and directed by Northridge alum Liam Ford ’87. Service Club members waited outside Northridge every morning, gathering donated items like canned goods, baking ingredients, and granola bars. Donations earned Knights Hall points and directly benefited fellow Chicagoans during the holiday season. All told, the drive collected more than 400 pounds of food for families in need.

Nursing Home Visits have been one of the most personally rewarding aspects of the Service Club year. More than 45 students participated in bi-weekly trips to the VA Home, Asbury Court, and Amazing Grace nursing homes, spending time with residents who genuinely look forward to the visits.

Trivia Night, now in its fourth year, brought together more than 120 students from 11 different schools for an evening of competition and camaraderie, all benefiting Aid for Women, a Chicago crisis pregnancy center. The event raised over $4,000 for the second consecutive year. The night ended with a memorable Family Feud showdown, with a junior team led by Patrick Manio edging out a senior squad led by Luke Ahne by correctly guessing “things snowmen might have nightmares about.”

Combined with Game Night, this year’s Service Club efforts surpassed $8,200 in total funds raised, a 21% increase from last year. Congratulations to outgoing President Eamon Faherty and Vice President Stephen Castillo, and best of luck to incoming President Tommy Cartwright and Vice President Kevin Finlay.