Gerard Butt stood before more than 2,100 knights, bishops, priests, cardinals and archbishops at the Knights of Columbus 144th Supreme Convention in Denver earlier this month, an experience the 74-year-old described as his “once-in-a-lifetime” moment.

Even as grand knight of Monsignor McCarthy Council #5902 from Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, Butt admitted that he never imagined attending a gathering with as much grandeur as this year’s supreme convention. 

However, he was not there simply as a fellow brother knight, but as a representative of his council. There, he graciously accepted the Knights of Columbus’ International Community Program Award for the council's hospitality and support provided to firefighters and community members during the devastating Kingston wildfire that ravaged the Conception Bay North area last August. 

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While the story might be remembered by a small few outside of Carbonear’s population of no more than 5,000, Butt remembers nearly every detail. 

When the wildfire first ignited on Aug. 3, 2025, the first major fire of its kind many in Newfoundland and Labrador had ever faced, it was not long before local resources became overwhelmed. As Butt recalls, hundreds of people along the Conception Bay North shore were forced to evacuate, and firefighters began arriving from across the province, some travelling more than a thousand miles from Labrador. 

From the outset, the local Knights offered its rural retreat known as Camp McCarthy, a few kilometres from Carbonear, along with its main hall, to the Red Cross, Salvation Army and others for free lodging and meals. 

When the local fire department asked where the incoming crews could stay, the council stepped forward to offer without hesitation.

“ From the very beginning, we said we could and would do whatever we needed to help. We had (Camp McCarthy) as a facility to house evacuees, and we could surely feed those in need with no charge,” Butt told The Catholic Register. “When the firefighters started arriving in the coming days,  we knew we could house up to 80 people. It was a game changer because the local departments and the Newfoundland government were overwhelmed as no one was prepared for something like this.”

What was expected to be a day or two long support would end up lasting for the next three to four weeks, where more than 30 brother knights, some joined by their spouses or friends of the council, arrived as early as 5 a.m. to prepare hearty breakfasts for firefighters who would leave for the front lines at first light. 

On the very first day, before the community and council could grasp how long the disaster would last, more than 500 bottles of water had been distributed to local firefighters. 

“ We were also thankful to have a lot of support from different organizations, other town councils and monetary donations as well. We tried to get the resources as fast as we could, but in our small council, that was a lot of funds,” Butt said. 

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“Even little things, like someone offering a local hennery for a hundred dozen eggs, it was the volunteers who picked them up to give out.” 

Even as community donations of food, supplies and money continued, it was the sustained volunteer efforts that made the greatest difference across the days and weeks, turning Camp McCarthy into a place of rest and hospitality in a time of great need. Visiting firefighters would soon praise the council’s support on social media after returning home. 

“The biggest thing was the volunteer hours that we put in, as in the end, we were well taken care of in the financial aspect. The real matter was having 20 to 30 members who were able to go in, rotate and provide that care day after day and week after week. They cooked, cleaned and did whatever they needed to do to make sure the facility was always ready when crews returned,” the grand knight said. 

Paul Baldwin, state deputy for Knights of Columbus Newfoundland and a member of Council #5902, shared his praise for how volunteers devoted themselves entirely, a reality made even more moving due to their proximity to the disaster. 

“ It is not the first time that we as Newfoundlanders have come to the aid of people in need, but this particular time really was close to home. Our community was only two down the road from the evacuation order,” he said. “Had it got any worse, we probably would've been on an evacuation order ourselves.” 

The support was perhaps not life-changing on the surface — thriving on hot meals, donations and a place to stay. For Baldwin, however, to see the little council from Carbonear act with care as devastation lingered mere kilometres away was nothing short of inspiring. 

“It is very humbling and rewarding to be recognized, and it doesn't happen every year. The last time Newfoundland and Labrador won an award at an event was during 9/11 for what we did in Gander,” he said, referring to the small, northeastern town that took in 38 diverted planes and nearly 7,000 stranded passengers during the 9/11 attacks in 2001. 

“You don't have to be a great big council with hundreds of members to do something good, and  I'm just so proud of Council #5902.” 

Butt shared that even after the firefighters began returning home, the council continued its assistance by cooking meals for remaining local evacuees through the Salvation Army, assisting Team Rubicon Canada and supporting Red Cross efforts in the area. Last fall, the council also provided winter coats as part of the Knights’ Coats for Kids program to those who had lost their homes and belongings.

As  the council celebrates its 60th anniversary in November, Butt promises that he and his fellow volunteers will continue the work of Knights founder Fr. Michael McGiveney, ensuring that where there is a need, there is a knight.

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“ That’s why we joined the Knights of Columbus, right? The vision of charity for our families, our local parishes and our neighbours in the community.  While everyone likes a bit of recognition, this is just what we do,” he said.