Every Child Has a Name

July 16, 2026

Through All God’s Babies, Knights across Louisiana build caskets for deceased infants and swings for people with disabilities

By Megan Stibley

July 16, 2026

Knights from several councils across Louisiana construct caskets. — Knights from several councils across Louisiana construct caskets during a workday at All God’s Babies workshop in Metairie, La. (Photo by Matthew Seymour)

While on retreat about 60 miles from home, Don Sampey, a member of Msgr. Charles Duke Council 3465 in Metairie, Louisiana, received a tearful phone call from his friend Maria Payne.

Payne told Sampey her daughter-in-law had been rushed to the hospital after collapsing at work and unexpectedly delivered a stillborn child. Sampey immediately left the retreat to comfort Payne.

“She was crying, she didn’t know what to do, she didn’t have the funds,” Sampey said. “She asked me if I would make a coffin. I had no idea how to do woodworking at the time — I still really don’t.”

Sampey reached out for help from the Monday Night Disciples, a Catholic men’s prayer group started by Danny Abramowicz, a former NFL player for the New Orleans Saints, at St. Clement of Rome Church in Metairie. Men from the group helped Sampey build a casket, find a burial site and organize a funeral for the baby.

“The good Lord chose me for whatever reason in that moment,” Sampey said. “I had no idea what was happening or what this would become.”

A GOD-GIVEN MINISTRY

Sampey and members of Monday Night Disciples — many of whom are Knights — began building caskets free of charge for families facing similar situations. What began as a single act of compassion grew into All God’s Babies (AGB), a ministry that has served families for more than a decade.

Wooden panels bearing the names of every child who has received a casket from All God’s Babies hang in the organization's workshop. — Wooden panels bearing the names of every child who has received a casket from All God’s Babies hang in the organization’s workshop in Metairie, La. (Photo by Matthew Seymour)

Since 2015, the organization has assembled and delivered more than 600 caskets throughout Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, sized to accommodate unborn children and children up to 2 years old.

“I’m not smart enough to come up with something like AGB on my own,” Sampey said. “God has his hand on this. It is holy because it’s what God is doing, not what we’re doing.”

At first, AGB operated out of Sampey’s backyard shed. As requests for caskets increased, operations expanded to the backyards of 10 volunteers, including six Knights. The ministry soon outgrew the available space for lumber, equipment and inventory.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans then provided the group with space inside the former Our Lady of Divine Providence School building in March 2024. While many members still work from their homes, the organization now has a central headquarters where they gather to work together.

“It was given by God,” Sampey said. “We weren’t even looking, yet it came to us at the perfect moment.”

AGB now owns a mausoleum at St. Patrick Cemetery #1 for families unable to afford a burial plot. Upon request, members provide music for funeral services, and Fourth Degree Knights are available to serve in an honor guard.

“We try to make the best caskets and help in any way we can to give the absolute best for the baby and his or her family,” Sampey said. “The baby might be the size of a fingernail, yet he or she has a soul and deserves to be buried with dignity.”

As the ministry grew, Knights of Columbus became integral to its mission. Knights from about five councils in Louisiana participate in All God’s Babies, while councils across the state contribute in other ways.

Grand Knight Les Madere of Council 3465 has been involved with AGB for about 10 years. Madere encourages Knights from his council to get involved and attends district and state meetings to encourage support from other Knights across Louisiana.

A Knight cuts wood during a workday with All God’s Babies at the organization’s workshop. — Past Grand Knight Mark Nuss of Most Rev. Bishop L. Able Caillouet Council 9007 in Metairie, La., cuts wood during a workday with All God’s Babies at the organization’s workshop. (Photo by Matthew Seymour)

“I was in sales for 40 years, so I’m constantly selling the Knights of Columbus and recruiting men to our council,” Madere said. “From there, I’m always talking up AGB, because we’re always in need of support.”

A group of Knights has expanded the reach of AGB by delivering caskets beyond the New Orleans area via motorcycle. Motorcycle-riding Knights now deliver caskets across the Gulf Coast, as far as Houston and Mobile, Alabama.

Councils also donate supplies and provide financial support.

“This ministry shows the commitment to charity that the Knights of Columbus represent,” Madere said. “We’re all brothers just trying to make our way to Heaven, and working in this ministry together is helping us get closer to achieving that.”

‘A LIVING PRAYER’

When Karl Credeur, a member of Annunziata Council 10612 in Houma, Louisiana, about an hour from the AGB workshop, read about the ministry in the Clarion Herald, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, he was immediately interested in volunteering.

“I’ve been retired for several years, so when I saw the article, I knew there was an opportunity to use my skills and knowledge to help God’s work being done through this organization,” Credeur said.

Credeur reached out to Sampey and joined the group. Many volunteers had little woodworking experience, so Credeur began teaching the craft and helping refine the casket designs. With his expertise, casket sizes were expanded to accommodate children as old as 2.

Volunteers visit Credeur’s shop in Houma to help cut parts before bringing them back to the main workshop in Metairie for assembly.

“It’s not just a box that’s going in the ground,” Credeur said. “I take the time to make sure the caskets I’m giving these families let them know that their child is being buried with dignity.”

Knights from Msgr. Charles Duke Council 3465 in Metairie, La., inspect caskets during a work day with All God’s Babies at the organization’s workshop in Metairie. — Les Madere (right), immediate past grand knight of Msgr. Charles Duke Council 3465 in Metairie, La., and fellow council member John Dominick inspect caskets during a work day with All God’s Babies at the organization’s workshop in Metairie. (Photo by Matthew Seymour)

Many lumber yards donate wood, and women donate wedding dresses to line the inside of the caskets. Volunteers also sew gowns and tuxedos for babies to be buried in.

“One of the Christian virtues is to bury the dead,” Credeur said. “This is a living prayer for me.”

Prayer is central to the mission of AGB. While volunteers work throughout the week, they gather every Wednesday for a communal workday. Before beginning work, many attend morning Mass.

Holy water fonts hang beside the entrance to every room in the workshop, and volunteers bless themselves as they enter and pray together before beginning the day’s work.

“We’re always in prayer. Throughout the day, we’re calling on the Holy Spirit to guide us,” Sampey said. “We pray for those babies, and they are always with us.”

The name of every child who receives a casket from AGB is carved on wooden panels that hang in the workshop, a constant reminder of the lives they have served.

“The whole Knights’ mantra is serving people,” Credeur said. “AGB is an easy avenue to do just that. You don’t need a lot of skills or experience. You can just show up, and there will be a role for you to play.”

Knights volunteering with All God’s Babies gather around a newly constructed swing for people with disabilities. — Knights volunteering with All God’s Babies gather around a newly constructed swing for people with disabilities during a workday at the organization’s workshop in Metairie, La. (Photo by Matthew Seymour)

‘MEN WITH TEARS IN THEIR EYES’

In addition to the caskets, AGB also builds swings for people with disabilities.

Alan Latapie, a member of Council 3465 and a retired police officer, built swings for his grandchildren before deciding to build one for a former co-worker whose grandson has autism and Down syndrome. Latapie then asked his friend if he knew other families in similar situations who would want one as well.

“I’ve seen grown men with tears in their eyes watching these children’s reactions when they swing,” Latapie said. “It’s given me comfort to be able to comfort God’s special children.”

Latapie originally built the swings in his home workshop before moving the ministry into the AGB workshop after the group offered him space. Volunteers now help assemble the swings alongside the caskets.

Over the years, more than 50 swings have been built for people with disabilities. Before Latapie’s wife died, she encouraged him to continue making them.

“Our life on Earth is a test, with our final grade being posted in eternity,” Latapie said. “Building these swings and helping AGB helps me study for the test.”

Sampey said the ministry’s growth over the past 11 years can only be explained by God.

“Someday when I get to heaven, I’ll meet every child I built a casket for,” he said. “When you envision that while working, you know you’re on the right track.”

*****

MEGAN STIBLEY is associate editor of Columbia.

Every Child Has a Name

A GOD-GIVEN MINISTRY

‘A LIVING PRAYER’

‘MEN WITH TEARS IN THEIR EYES’

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