Knights’ effort funds ultrasound

Essential Pregnancy Services (EPS) has a second ultrasound machine in its Omaha office thanks to Knights of Columbus Council 10909 of St. Wenceslaus Parish, also in Omaha.

Selling its first-ever "calendar club" tickets at $50 each, the council raised $62,500 last year. With a little more than half going to prizes and costs, more than $27,000 funded charities, including pro-life efforts, vocations and Catholic education.

The council purchased the $100,000 ultrasound machine with $10,000 from the calendar club, Knights’ state and national pro-life funds and an anonymous donor. Several other councils from around the state provided money for training on the machine.

"This state-of-the-art technology provides EPS nursing staff the ability to offer clients a potentially life-altering view of their unborn babies," said Brad Burks, EPS executive director. "I am so grateful to the Knights of Columbus."

This year’s calendar club kicks off Sept. 11, and all tickets must be sold by Dec. 11. The initiative has dramatically increased the council’s ability to give to others in need, said Bob Cronin, grand knight.