KOVAR

02/22/2026

KOVAR is blessed to work with so many Virginia Knights of Columbus Councils, and so many dedicated KOVAR Chairman, like Peter Delogu of Council 9953, Our Lady of Lourdes in Glen Allen. KOVAR President Eddie Whitlock was able to recognize Peter for all his work (and that of Council 9953) by making Peter the honoree of a KOVAR grant made to The Skills Development Center in Glen Allen.

12/02/2025

KOVAR greatly appreciates the work of Commonwealth Autism in its shared mission to assist Virginians with Intellectual Disabilities. KOVAR recently made a grant to Commonwealth Autism in the amount of $14,400. KOVAR VP of Home Loans, Mike Szablak, presented an honoree plaque to Mr. Tyler Hart, Commonwealth Autism CEO. The honoree is Past Grand Knight Clint Corry of Council 395 in Henrico County. Clint and Council 395 have been long-time supporters of KOVAR. Presenting his plaque is KOVAR Board Member Rick Witty, and KOVAR President Eddie Whitlock.

11/27/2025

As KOVAR President, Eddie Whitlock recently presented a plaque to Past Grand Knight Richard Mallory of Council 14129, St. Mary's Catholic Church - Richmond, as honoree for a $20,000 grant to Downs Virginia Down Syndrome Association. KOVAR is grateful for the great works done by Virginia Down Syndrome Association, and by the dedication and hard work of all Virginia Knights of Columbus.

07/10/2025

KOVAR provided a $17,718 grant to VersAbility Resources to replace flooring, an aging refrigerator, and the stove top at one of their group homes in Newport News. The grant funds also provided new furniture and portable storage cabinets for the Envisions Day Support facility in Newport News.

VersAbility Resources was founded in 1953 by concerned parents searching for employment opportunities for their children with intellectual disabilities. Since then, it has grown into a large organization serving over 1800 clients with disabilities. The not-for-profit organization has numerous government and commercial contracts providing all types of employment opportunities from digitizing x-rays, shredding, copying, sorting, manufacturing, food servicing, sanitizing, and industrial tooling work. Additionally, VersAbility owns and manages 6 group homes operated for and housing adults with ID in the Hampton/Newport News area.

The honoree for this grant is Kasia Grzelkowski, President/CEO of VersAbility Resources since 2006 (Picture 1). In Picture 2, Ebonee Atkinson, Vice President of Community Living, joins John and Kasia.

07/10/2025

Get ready to roll the dice for a great cause! Join us for the second annual Marian Homes Casino Night Gala. Friday, October 3, at the Country Club of Fairfax. An unforgettable evening of games, cocktails, and community. All proceeds help provide safe and loving homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mark your calendar. You won't want to miss this!

07/10/2025

Virginia Knights of Columbus District 1 (Tidewater) is holding its 5th Annual KOVAR Bowling Tournament next month. Please consider participating, as it is a fundraiser for KOVAR.

07/01/2025

KOVAR provided a $20,000 grant to Hearts & Homes to replace windows and sliding glass doors in seven of their condominiums. For over 30 years Hearts & Homes has purchased and maintained homes for adults with developmental disabilities in Virginia Beach. They currently have 12 homes that range from condominiums for highly functioning individuals with ID to intermediate care homes for medically fragile individuals who need round the clock care. Hearts & Homes partners with the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services’ Developmental Services Unit for resident support services.

Residents from 3 of the 4 condos recently renovated gathered for pictures outside Drew and Bobby’s condo (picture 1). Pictured are Katie, Danielle, Bobby, Conrad, Paul, and Drew, along with Hearts & Homes Board Members Earl Harper, Tom Laidlaw, Jack Lapke, and KOVAR Board Member John Cochran.

Tom Laidlaw is President of Hearts & Homes, has worked to support the housing needs of Virginians with intellectual disabilities for over 30 years and was named the Honoree for this grant. Tom is pictured (in picture 2) with KOVAR Board Member John Cochran.

06/15/2025

As members of the KOVAR Board of Directors, it is always an honor to participate in the Special Olympics at the University of Richmond! God showed his approval with a rainbow at the opening ceremony! Virginia Knights of Columbus State Treasurer John Knox joined the Board for its meeting and then for the presentation of medals to Olympians. All in all, a great weekend!

03/24/2025

KOVAR Director Michael Carducci and his wife went to the Loudoun County Arts For All (Grant #25-25) production of Mary Poppins Jr. on March 21, 2025. What a wonderful evening!

Here are three pics from the play program where KOVAR was identified/acknowledged. A brother knight from Michael's council whose son is in the play called Michael the other night and told him that prior to the start of the play, they announced that a grant from KOVAR provided funds for the risers, sensory kits, mics, and clothing materials.

In addition, prior to the start of the play last night, they again announced that KOVAR provided a grant that provided funds for the risers, sensory kits, mics, and clothing materials and called me out in the audience (the old “please stand up”) which was quite a surprise. Of course, during the intermission.

12/31/2024

KOVAR is proud to support Commonwealth Catholic Charities' effort to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities experiencing homelessness. Commonwealth Catholic Charities has a phenomenal record helping many!

We are so grateful to KOVAR for their generous support of our homeless services programs. These funds will help provide vital resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities who are experiencing homelessness.

11/25/2024

This past weekend the KOVAR Board of Directors held a retreat. On the agenda were spiritual matters (daily Mass and reflection), strategic planning, and team building. We completed the weekend with Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church - Richmond, and assisted St. Mary's Council 14129 with its annual KOVAR fundraising drive. Thank you Fr. Michael Renninger for continued support. We are renewed, recharged, and back to work for Virginian's with ID!