Knights of Columbus Council Marks 100th Bingo Milestone

The Knights of Columbus Orange Park Council #7399 of St. Catherine of Siena celebrated a major milestone on Friday, January 9 2026, hosting its 100th Bingo event since the program’s revival in 2018.

Bingo, a long-standing Knights-sponsored fundraiser, resumed in July 2018 under the leadership of Bob Culp, who assembled the core team that brought the program back to life. Gary Koch was appointed chairperson and served in that role until his passing in November 2023. Known for his meticulous organization—often credited to his Navy background—Koch ensured each event was fully staffed and properly supplied, running Bingo “like a well-oiled machine.”

Koch was supported by Mardelle Wehby, who oversaw kitchen operations, as well as by fellow Knights, parish volunteers, and St. Catherine’s pastors. At the time Bingo resumed, the Council relied on an aging Bingo machine that was barely operational. Events were held once a month in Haut Hall until Pastor Fr. Ignatius granted permission for church funds to be used to purchase a new Bingo system. The investment quickly paid off, with the system fully paid for by the end of the year.

From July 2018 through June 2019, Bingo and food sales generated approximately $29,000 in gross revenue. Of that amount, $11,400 was donated to St. Catherine Church, while $3,300 was retained by the Council to support its charitable “Faith in Action” programs. During this period, kitchen operations were coordinated by Wehby, and 50-50 sales were managed by Sal Magaddino.

Bingo operations were paused when the Parish Family Life Center was completed and later disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2020 into 2021, Bingo was not held in Lademia Hall. Instead, the Knights adapted by hosting “Zoom Bingo,” coordinated by Vanoy Counts, Dan Wehby, Vincent Reilly, and Stella Loy.

In March 2021, in-person Bingo resumed in the Family Life Center. Initially held once a month, the schedule expanded in July 2022 when then-Grand Knight Vincent Reilly established three volunteer teams—later streamlined to two—allowing Bingo to be held twice a month.

Over the course of 100 Bingo events, the program has been supported by more than 100 volunteers. Several dedicated members, including Gary Koch, George Robertson, and Kathy Messenger, have since passed, while others have stepped away or relocated. Today, the Bingo ministry maintains an active roster of more than 80 volunteers, with approximately 35 required to staff each event.

Since its revival, Knights of Columbus Council #7399 has raised more than $200,000 through Bingo operations. Over $150,000 of that total has been donated directly to St. Catherine Church. The remaining funds—approximately $75,000—have supported charitable causes, council initiatives, and the ongoing costs of Bingo supplies.

As the Knights celebrate their 100th Bingo, the milestone stands as a testament to years of volunteer dedication, community support, and a shared commitment to service.  Congratulations and thank you to all our volunteers!

• GARY KOCH-BINGO OPERATIONS(DECEASED)    

• GEORGE ROBERTSON(DECEASED)

• KATHY MESSENGER(DECEASED)

• TRACY CONNELL-CALLER

• CHRIS HUTTER-B TEAM LEADER

• JUDI TAYLOR

• DAVE MILLER-FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR

• PHIL ROBBINS

• BARBARA ROBBINS

• MARY MILLER

• JERRY HINES-A TEAM LEADER

• RANDY COATES-BANKER

• FRANK VALLENCOURT

• DAN WEHBY-BINGO OPERATIONS MANAGER

• CAPT. BILL KENNEDY-BANKER

• RENATO SCIUMBATA-BANKER

• LYDIA INDIO

• JOSE INDIO

• CLIFF PLANTE-BINGO CHAIRMAN

• DAN COSTELLO, JR.

• DAN COSTELLO

• RAUL TECSON

• XAVIER CROSBY

• BARBARA PLANTE

• DONNA RICCIARDI

• DAVE COUGHLIN-WGK

• LOU MANZ-PGK, CALLER

• RON CAMACHO-A TEAM LEADER

• MICHELLE MANCI

• PEGGY REIFSNEIDER

• MIKE PACK

• ROSEMARYPACK

• ED REIFSNEIDER

• DENNIS CASCANTE

• DEACON LARRY HART

• KARLA REIFSNEIDR

• LOUSE BARON

• MARY JO BADE

• ANGIE BROOKS

• MARY LOU CONROY

• JOEL KENDRICK-CALLER

• LYN HALL

• JOHNNY THIELEN

• MARION EVERETT

• LOGAN  KENDRICK

• PEGGY REOBERTSON

• GEORGE ROBERTSON

• LUPITA THIELEN

• MARIA CUEVAS

• DONNA BELLEFONTAINE

• THETA CALAGHAN

• RICHARD ROMITO

• GLENN BARTON

• LITA BARTON

• TIM STAHLHEBER

• MIKE MILLER

• MARY MACROS

• VANOY COUNTS-FINANCIAL SECRETARY

• ERIC GEDAULT-TREASURER

• RICH CAREY-WGK

• MIKE GAMBONE-TREASURER

• FRANCIS AZER

• SCOTT WOODS

• PATTY WOODS

• JAY HEATHER-PAST GRAND KNIGHT, PAST FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR

• JOHN BANASZAK

• TOM SCHERCH-PAST GRAND KNIGHT, FORMER FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR, DISTRICT DEPUTY

• TONY CLARO

• MARY MACROS

• PETER MOCLALLS

• JOE ROSAIRO

• CANDY BRIGHT

KITCHEN STAFF

• MARDELLE WEHBY-KITCHEN OPERATIONS

• VICKY COUNTS-FOOD CHAIRPERSON

• NANCY PATTI-FOOD CHAIRPERSON

• DONNA BELLEFONTAINE

• JUDY CHRISTINE

• BERN CRAWFORD

• SUSANNE CROWE-CALLER

• ELLEN GODFREY

• DENNIS HALL

• DARLENE HART

• GINGER KENDRICK-CALLER

• TERRY MANZ-BAKER

• FLORDELIZA MUNFORD

• KATIE NORMAN

• MARY PALMER

• LAURA PENTON

• JUDITH REDENIUS

• JOE TAPPE

• JANICE TOLEDO

• DEACON BERNIE GRALESKI

• DEBBIE GRALESKI

• JIM FAWCETT

• ROBIN MCKENZIE

• CHERYL SUSSER