MADAWASKA – The Madawaska Knights of Columbus, with the assistance of local individuals and businesses, donated more than $5,000 Sunday to the family of Kenny Sirois, the 16-year-old athlete who died earlier this summer.

The donation was made to the Vincent and Wendy Sirois family at the Knights of Columbus Council’s annual Fun Day activities held at Birch Point and the K of C Grounds at Long Lake on Sunday afternoon.

The annual Fun Day includes swimming and games for children at Birch Point and a hot dog and hamburger supper at the K of C Grounds. Children receive prizes, including eight bicycles.

“It was an excellent day, a super day,” said Mike Guerrette, co-chairman of the event. “The donation made to the Sirois family is to help them with burial expenses and a bunch of other expenses we don’t know about. The Sirois family was there, and we are happy we could help them.” Each year the Madawaska organization selects a family to assist.

“We had plenty of kids, a lot of families, and everyone had fun,” he said. “The Madawaska Parks and Recreation Department was great in setting up games for the children.”

Vincent and Wendy Sirois could not be reached for comment Monday.

Guerrette’s co-chairman for the event was Ken Theriault. An estimated 250 people attended.

The Knights, according to Guerrette, raise the money through donations from individuals and businesses. They also have a raffle to help raise funds.

The Grand Isle Knights of Columbus participated. They had a dunk tank at the grounds to help raise funds.

“One local family donated $1,100 to this cause this year,” Guerrette said.

Kenny Sirois, a high school athlete known as “Hangtime” and “Gentle Giant,” died of cardiac failure in early June, collapsing near the end of a run with his twin brother, Mark.

At his funeral, mourners nearly filled the gymnasium of the blue-and-white Madawaska Owls, where Sirois practiced and played basketball.

At 6 feet 3 inches and 220 pounds, he was one of the basketball stars who took the Owls basketball team to its first ever win at the Eastern Maine High School tournament appearance last spring.

Sirois also played baseball for the Owls, and played soccer and participated in track in both Corinna and in South Carolina before the family moved back to Madawaska when the twins were sixth-graders.

“It was a great day, and we had a good cause to help,” Cliff Cyr, grand knight of the Madawaska K of C Council, said. “On avais du beau temps [we had great weather], and the kids had a great time.

“We are happy to be able to help the family in these hard times,” he said.