Kn.E.C.T.

A small group of volunteers from Centre Wellington who offer their hands
and hearts to help in our local community and on international projects.

Belief

“It is by treating each and every person we encounter with love and respect and
generosity that we will change the world” – Unknown

What We Do

Kn.E.C.T. – (Knox Elora Care Team) [pronounced connect] provides support to people in need in the Centre Wellington area as well as internationally in Nicaragua and around the world.

How It All Started

During a vigil at Knox Church for the victims of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami, Rev. Kees
Vandermey asked if anyone would be interested in fundraising to help the victims. Five people volunteered to help. Those people were, Lawrie, Randi, Jennifer, Melissa and Aileen. We collected money for food and water, medical or school supplies and soccer balls (to bring joy back into the children’s lives) and sent it to World Vision for the tsunami victims. Our group was really excited about what had happened. Our first step was to come up with a mission. We needed to know that we would be contributing to important issues and making positive contributions to our community. The next step, give the group a name. Kn.E.C.T. Meaning, Knox Elora Care Team was born. Basically, it was because of all the “Kn.E.C.T.ions” made in the Church, with the group, and around the community. The group was sold and Kn.E.C.T. was formed. We would work together to do work in our community and if possible do international missions.

Local Projects

    • Roadside Clean Up
      As a team we clean the ditches of County Road 7 from the corner of County Road 21 to the top of what is known as Maitland’s Hill. We take pride in keeping our community clean.
    • Help with Your Home
      Kn.E.C.T. helps homeowners who are having difficulty keeping up with work around the home. This may be due to illness, family loss, or physical challenges. We will provide free labour to assist with major spring jobs such as raking, weeding, tilling, painting, rubbish removal and minor repairs. All the work is done by volunteers with help welcomed from the home-owner, friends, family and neighbours.
    • Centre Wellington Food Bank
      KnECT is pleased to continue to support our local food bank. A monthly cheque is given in order to purchase milk, fresh vegetables and fruit.
    • Adopt a Family
      At Christmas, Knect adopts families through the Family and Children’s Services program. We like to purchase large gift requests for several families. We also provide much needed gift cards to the families in need. “It is better to give than receive.”

International Projects

Internationally, Kn.E.C.T. likes to take on a project that will bring a community together and/or bless a family.  Kn.E.C.T. has provided international help to many communities in the country of Nicaragua.

We have built the following:

    • a church in the inner-city of Managua;
    • a church in Xiloa;
    • two rooms for a feeding centre run out of Apostolica Principe de Paz, Xiloa;
    • a Church (Templo Hermosa ) at Masaya;
    • a Community Centre at Ticuantepe;
    • a home for a family in Managua;
    • two homes for families in the Nindiri Region.

We also like to bless the community we are working in with food. With a contingency fund we usually purchase the following foods: rice, beans, maseca, corn, cooking oil and sugar. We also like to bless people. Here is a list of some of the things we have done:

    • provided money to help a family in need of transportation so that their child could attend  Cancer treatments,
    • provided a monthly donation to a family for medications for diabetes and epilepsy,
    • provided medications for a young boy suffering from kidney disease,
    • purchased food and staples for prisoners.

Fundraising Events

  • Glen Jackson Memorial Golf Tournament
    Each year Kn.E.C.T. holds a fundraising golf tournament. This year the tournament is in May of 2022 if provincial guidelines allow us to host this event. A special thank you to the Beaverdale Golf Club in Cambridge for allowing us to host this fun event.
  • Apple Pie Day
    Every year we bake pies on the first or second Saturday in November. Two years ago we made a record 530 pies. The pies can be baked right away or put in the freezer for a later date. That makes it easy for those holiday visits. Take your pie along with you to your friend’s home.  What friend doesn’t like a gift of dessert?   Pies for 2022 are $15.00 each (or 5 for $60.00) and proceeds of the pie sales go towards Kn.E.C.T. Projects.   This year our Pie Day is November 12th, 2022.

Help Us Help Internationally

Join us on our next international project. If you don’t want to travel then help us out with all the little jobs that need completed prior to our travel date. Gather good used clothing and shoes. Collect a bundle of toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, dental floss or even craft and school supplies. Or, sponsor our build. Every little bit helps.

High School Students Community Service Hours

Complete your 40 hours of community service needed to graduate with us.
Contact us at knectcares@gmail.com