NASHUA – A local man’s ongoing effort to fund the construction of several churches in the African nation of Ghana has gotten a big boost from a Knights of Columbus chapter in northwestern New Hampshire.

Peter Koliss, who began the project in 2004 in memory of his late wife, Evelyn, said the Claremont Knights of Columbus chapter recently donated proceeds from its “Very Gala Pasta Dinner” to the cause, pushing this year’s fund total past $28,000.

Koliss was featured in The Telegraph in May for starting the fund, which began when he befriended Father John Albert Opoku-Acquah, pastor of St. Anthony Parish, which is a diocese of worshippers from 10 tiny villages around the city of Mampong, Ghana.

The pair met when “Father John” was visiting Nashua in the fall of 2004 to spend a month as guest pastor at Nashua’s St. Louis de Gonzague Church. Koliss, a longtime communicant of the church, had scheduled a memorial service for Evelyn, who had died in March 2004.

After learning that Father John and his parishioners were in dire need of new church buildings – most of them were crumbling and one was destroyed by a hurricane – Koliss decided to launch the fund in his late wife’s name.

Koliss, a member of Nashua Knights of Columbus Council 11573, has been enlisting the assistance of other chapters as well as personal and group donors to reach his goal of $100,000.

Anyone interested in helping the cause can contact Koliss at 47 Dogwood Drive, No. 202, Nashua, NH 03062. Business and private donations are welcome.