MATTAPOISETT — The pandemic has put the Knights of Columbus Damien Council 4190 in dire straits, and if the lodge's financial situation doesn't improve soon, it could close for good.

“We have just come to a complete stop,” said Secretary John Vaughn. 

Vaughn said the council was already not in good shape financially going into 2020.

Usually, the council generates revenue with hall rentals for events, as well as the bar inside.

“And then covid hit,” he said.

Now, the council has a liquor license to pay, and has to address its lodge which is in need of repairs.

Vaughn said a third of the shingles on the roof are gone, the front of the lodge is rotting away from a water leak, and the bathrooms need to be made handicap accessible. 

The Damien Council was founded in 1959 as a place for Catholic men to socialize. The shrine of Jesus outside the hall was actually hand-built by the members of the council.

Its main mission is to help the local community.

“We make money so that we can give it away,” Vaughn said.

The Knights have bought hundreds of coats to give away to kids, donated 3,000 cookies to foster families, held a blood drive during the pandemic, and have sponsored seminarians heading off to school. 

The council has also given a combined $36,000 in scholarships to high school seniors with the money raised from its monthly Teen Dances. Vaughn said the events gave teens a safe place to hang out on a Friday night and was popular while they were still happening. But now, the events and the scholarships are on hold.

As a way to make up for financial strains last year, the council held its first ever fall festival.

The event was a day of music, vendors and food which made $6,000 in profit. The revenue covered the organization’s operating costs, but year two of the event never happened due to covid.

Normally, the council also holds two clambakes every year. But because of the pandemic, only one was held in June. 

Now, the council has started an online fundraiser to make up for the lost revenue.

“Quite frankly, if we have no income with no savings, we’re looking at this going away,” Vaughn said. “Save us so that we can continue our work.”

Another way to help the council, Vaughn said, is to join it. It’s open to all Catholic men, no matter the age.

The gofundme page for the Knights of Columbus Damien Council 4190 can be found here.