Petit Jean Meats has been producing tasty meats since 1926 in Morrilton Arkansas. Their hams “get the taste” from the seasoning processes with a blend of special ingredients where they soak up the aroma from smoldering hickory chips for at least 16 hours. No water is added to the hams. 

The Knights of Columbus’ relationship with Petit Jean started in 2006. The Ladies of the Sacred Heart took a tour of the Morrilton Packing Company in early 2006 when Johnny Kerie, Marketing Manager, informed them that it will provide hams for a fundraiser. The only stipulation was that the money raised would go to charity. Milt Spaniel contacted Johnny Kerie to coordinate the donated hams for the Knights’ first “Fall Fest” that benefitted St. Michael’s Catholic Child Care. This tradition has continued annually for 5 years. 

In 2007 Johnny Kerie called Milt to suggest that the Knights could raise additional money for charity by selling the products at competitive prices and earn a small commission. The initial organizers of ham sales were Milt Spaniel, Ed Kearns and Bill Nosek who selected the products, prices, order form design, financial record requirements, publicity, sales teams, and candidates for gift cards. This is how the annual “K of C Ham Sales” were started here at Sacred Heart.

The Knights donate all of their earnings to local families in need. Over the past 5 years they keep records for follow-up for additional needs and how each previously family recipient is doing. A concerted effort is made annually to locate additional family candidates through counselors at Alternate Learning Education (ALE), Mountain Pine, Fountain Lake and Jessieville. Initially gift cards were given directly to the candidates with a suggestion to help make Christmas a little brighter for their children. 

In 2008, a better way of giving was recommended to the Knights by the ALE staff (they know the needs of families and children through frequent contacts) for them to purchase with the gift cards the Christmas gifts (usually clothes), wrap them, and accompany the Knights to each family to personally hand the presents to the children. The Knights have experienced that this approach is a better and more personal way of giving which is being accomplished with the other schools.

 Sales income in 2007 was $800 and has steadily increased in 2010 to $2,300.