By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer

A charter member of the Knights of Columbus’ St. Gregory the Great Council, who freely admits, “I’m addicted to helping people,” has been recognized with the fraternal organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill Giovannetti, a member of the Knights for more than 35 years, was honored recently with a plaque presented by past Grand Knight Stephen Ciano.

As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Giovannetti has helped with organizing parties for parish youth, coordinating food drives, raising funds with Christmas wreath sales and assisting with the “adopt a family” program for the needy. Despite his long tenure with the Knights, Giovannetti declined assuming a council officer’s role.

“I never wanted to take a position of leadership or be a Grand Knight,” he said. “I just wanted to work.”

Upon his retirement from careers with McGraw Hill and a local real estate firm in 1995, Giovannetti’s service in the Knights and to Church and community increased, shifting its focus when he sought the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick during a serious illness.

“I noticed that my years of service dramatically changed…from more of a financial service to a more compassionate service of people in need,” he recalled. “My belief is that I was touched by the Holy Spirit through the holy oils for the sick. Not until I became very sick did I make close contact with God and look at life differently… I was able to increase my services tenfold and not feel any pressure. It was with the help of the Holy Spirit.”

Despite continued health challenges, Giovannetti continues with his philanthropic works with the fraternal organization. He cites his council’s two greatest accomplishments as their collection and distribution of more than 500 carloads of furniture and household goods to the poor and disadvantaged in the Trenton area and their assistance with Project Freedom, an agency which assists and advocates for the disabled.

“I’ve never given up,” the indefatigable 75-year-old said in a recent interview. “I’m determined to keep busy and be with people.”

Giovannetti has been active in many St. Gregory the Great Parish ministries, serving as an usher, an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist and a member of the Holy Name Society and Academy PTA; conducting a Tuesday morning group for seniors, and compiling the history of the church from 1954 to the present.  He has led a retreat to San Alphonsus Retreat House, Long Branch, for the men of the parish for the past 35 years and organized trips to Atlantic City and New York City for St. Gregory the Great parishioners.

Giovannetti, a native and resident of Hamilton, has been married to his wife Helen for more than 48 years. They are the parents of two grown daughters and have three grandchildren.

In addition to his numerous activities with the St. Gregory the Great Knights of Columbus council, Giovannetti has volunteered with Nar-Anon, an organization for families of drug addicted individuals, for more than 25 years. He coordinates its central New Jersey hotline, conducts family support groups and speaks with school counselors about the problem of teenage drug addiction. The Knight also works with two other Mercer County addictions programs and noted, “We are all our brother’s keeper. We should be happy helping each other.”