The Executive Board of the New Hampshire Knights of Columbus announced Mr. William (Bill) Jones, of Bedford, has been selected to receive its 2020 Granite Award. The presentation will take place on March 28, 2020 at the Holiday Inn, 172 North Main Street, Concord, at 5:30 p.m.
The Granite Award was established in 1989 and is the most prestigious award presented by the New Hampshire Knights of Columbus. It is bestowed upon those citizens who exhibit exemplary works of community service and volunteerism in the state. Mr. Jones is being recognized for his 30 years of service to the Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH).
Bill Jones’ journey with SONH began in 1993. He was instrumental in securing the office space used by SONH to this very day. He helped guide SONH into the 21st century as member of the Board of Directors from 1995-2000. He was the guiding force in the creation of the Young Athletes Program in the Granite State. This is a program for children both with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7. The program teaches basic skills like running, kicking, and throwing. Children learn to follow instructions and do so in an atmosphere of fun and inclusion. As “Coach Bill,” he continues to run the Manchester Young Athletes Program to this very day. He also runs the Mini Javelin event at each year’s State Summer Games held on the grounds of UNH in Durham.
Most notably, Jones created the character of “Captain Plunger” and for 20 consecutive years participated in the Penguin Plunge at Hampton Beach. In his two decades of plunging, he has single-handedly raised over $102,000 for SONH.
The Knights of Columbus will be honoring and congratulating Bill for his outstanding service to the people of New Hampshire. Tickets to this Knights of Columbus gala event are available for $35 each.
The deadline is March 15, 2020.
For more information or to order tickets, please visit https://nhknight.org/index.php/en/1111-2020-granite-award-2. For more information about the Knights of Columbus Granite Award, please contact Anthony Noce at 603-361-3675 or [email protected].
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