The Pella Knights of Columbus gave the group’s largest donation ever to Christian Opportunity Center.

Travis Eisenbarth and Joe Lickteig presented COC Executive Director Rod Braun with a check for $5,962.97, topping last year’s record donation by more than $500.

This year’s fundraiser once again featured a competition between local Pella students’ teams and groups. The annual trophy will remain in the Pella Community High School trophy case, as the Dutch cross country team raised the most money, followed closely by the Pella Christian High School football team. A check of $1822 was given to the football team for special education programs at the school.

The campaign ran the final full week of August and was coordinated by Art Halstead, Eisenbarth and Mike Linde, who managed 50 Knights, friends and families for seven days, resulting in 200 volunteer hours.

Since 1999, Pella Knights of Columbus donations total more than $50,000 in support of COC.