New Haven — The Knights of Columbus continued to be leaders in volunteer service and charitable giving in 2002, raising and donating a record $128.5 million to charity and volunteering a record 60.8 million hours of service. The totals are all-time highs for the Knights.

The figures are from the 1.6 million-member Catholic fraternal organization's 2002 Survey of Fraternal Activity. Approximately 73 percent of the organization's 11,700 state and local units responded to the survey conducted by the New Haven-based Knights.

"The records of charitable giving and volunteer service reflect the vibrancy of the Knights of Columbus," said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. "Our 1.6 million members are active in their communities, finding new ways daily to be in service to one and all."

Of the $128.5 million raised and donated in 2002, $106 million was raised locally and donated directly to charities chosen by K of C units raising the funds; the remaining $22.3 million was given by the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council and its designated charities from its headquarters.

Most of the charitable gifts were made in the following categories and amounts:

CHURCH SUPPORT (assistance to Catholic parishes and schools, religious education programs, seminarians/seminaries, vocations programs and other related projects) ‹ $40,498,544. Over the past 10 years, Knights have given $329.9 million to Church-related programs.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT (Special Olympics, programs for people with mental retardation or other mental and physical disabilities, disaster relief, hospitals and related programs) ‹ $48,146,283. The 10-year total of giving in this category is $446,124,389.

YOUTH SUPPORT (Including World Youth Day 2002, youth athletics, scholarships and related programs) ‹ $17,601,201. Over the past 10 years, Knights have given $138,002,785 to youth programs.

The 2002 fraternal survey statistics also showed 389,379 Knights were blood donors, up from 2001's figure of 386,432. Knights also reported 9.4 million hours of fraternal service, such as attending meetings, and making 5.8 million visits to the sick and bereaved.

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, a 29-year-old priest at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Conn., it offers members volunteer opportunities and a wide range of fraternal benefits, including top-rated life insurance, annuities and related products. The Vatican is currently studying the cause for sainthood of Father McGivney