26-10-17                          Manresa  50th

Good evening and welcome everyone, to Manresa Caravan 50th Anniversary Celebration.  For those who do not know me, my name is Ron Budzisz, and I am Grand Commander of Manresa Caravan. My wife is, Sultana Suzanne Budzisz. It is a blessing that we are able to gather together this evening as a family, united in faith and fellowship, to celebrate 50 years of service to our special needs friends. 

In early 1976 a group of 28 Catholic men came together and applied for a charter to the International Order of Alhambra. On April 25, 1976, Manresa Caravan was granted its charter. At that time, Ken Kress was elected to the position of Grand Commander of Manresa.  We arrive here today standing on the shoulders of our Past Grand Commanders. As they say, the rest is history. 

Tonight, we celebrate 50 years of service to our special needs friends, the intellectually disabled,   our Catholic faith, and fellowship. This celebration is all about you and the great work of this

caravan.  It’s amazes me, all that we accomplish as a caravan, from the fund raising at canister drives, and golf outings, to assisting at and sponsoring events. 

Yes, we do put smiles on faces.