It’s the cause, not the candy: Richard Charet takes Knights of Columbus fundraising to heart

The Knights of Columbus chapter at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes downtown had a good year using Tootsie Rolls as a fundraiser, and Grand Knight Terry Gafery says a lot of that success is thanks to Richard Charet.

“He is very passionate about it,” Gafery said. “He does a great job for us at the Rosauers in Browne’s Addition every single year.”

Every year the various Knights of Columbus chapters across Washington state hold a fundraiser on three weekends in September. They purchase Tootsie Rolls at a reduced cost and then give them away in exchange for donations.

Gafery’s group usually sets up outside the Rosauers stores in Browne’s Addition, on 14th Avenue and on 29th Avenue.

“We explain to them what we’re doing and what it’s for, and then they decide if they want to make a donation,” he said.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization for men that works to support the church and help those in need in the community, Gafery said.

But the Knights aren’t raising money for themselves. Twenty percent of it goes to Washington Special Olympics, and the remaining 80 percent is given to a local organization chosen by the Knights. This year the money went to the Spokane Guild School.

The Knights at Our Lady of Lourdes raised more than $2,000 this year and several hundred of that came from Charet.

Charet said he’s been volunteering with the Knights of Columbus since 2010 and has been a fixture at the Browne’s Addition Rosauers during the annual fundraiser ever since. “This is my neighborhood, so I know a lot of the people,” he said. “Nobody wants Tootsie Rolls. They say, ‘Give it to someone else.’ They just give a donation.”

This year he spent two and a half days outside the Browne’s Addition Rosauers. He said he likes to give people compliments or start conversations about sports and it seems to work, but he’s not sure how well. “I really don’t know what I did this year,” he said.

Charet said the Knights vote every year on which organization to fund along with Special Olympics. It’s usually a different one every year. “Everybody needs funding,” he said.

What’s important to Charet is that he’s giving back. “I was basically strung out on meth my entire life,” he said. “It was a lonely life.”

He served 18 months in prison for crimes that included drug possession and got out in 2009. “It turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” he said. “It got me cleaned up.”

Charet relies on a wheelchair. He was paralyzed in a car accident when he was 19 and both legs had to be amputated. He also suffered from bed sores related to his drug use. But he hasn’t let that stop him from his volunteer work.

He started volunteering for several different organizations after he got out of prison because he needed something to do and wanted to give back. He enjoys woodworking and makes crosses and crucifixes that are sold at Cathedral events to raise money. He also helps serve lunches for the needy at the Cathedral.

“It keeps me busy,” he said.