46th Annual Knights of Columbus Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive

(LEFT TO RIGHT: MARY ANN AND GRAND KNIGHT JIM BIERMAN, KNIGHT MATT GILLENWATER, KNIGHT NATHAN WESTENDORF, MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER, KNIGHT ART GEEN, AND KNIGHT SHAWN HARTKE. IN FRONT IS MARCUS GEEN HOLDING THE PROCLAMATION AND ALLISON GEEN)

In recognition of the 46th Annual Knights of Columbus Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive today and Saturday, better known as the Tootsie Roll Drive, Effingham Mayor Jeff Bloemker signed a Proclamation proclaiming September 18 and 19, 2015 as HELPING CITIZENS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES DAYS in the City of Effingham, in support of Effingham Council 665 of the Knights of Columbus worthy efforts to raise funds for the benefit of local programs such as E.A.S.T.E.R., ARC Community Support Systems, S.E.A.R.C.H., Inclusion Awareness, Special Olympics along with Special Education Programs at Sacred Heart and St. Anthony Parochial Schools. The Proclamation further encourages all citizens to do what they can to assist those who are affected by intellectual disabilities.

On today and Saturday, the Effingham Knights of Columbus will be at certain street intersections and local businesses accepting donations and passing out TOOTSIE ROLLS. In addition, the Knights are asking area businesses and individuals to become an important part of the fundraiser, not by soliciting for donations, but by assisting to underwrite the cost of the TOOTSIE ROLLS. The cost of a box of TOOTSIE ROLLS is $19.50 and the donation may be for any amount or multiple boxes.

Last year the Effingham Knights of Columbus distributed $13,000 (after expenses) to SEARCH, ARC Community Support Systems, E.A.S.T.E.R., Inclusion Awareness for Handicapped, Ballard Family Nature Center and special education programs at St. Anthony Grade and High Schools and Sacred Heart Grade School.

The Effingham Knights of Columbus ask that donations be made prior to September 18 and please make your tax deductible check payable to:  IL STATE COUNCIL – K of C CHARITIES. The donation will be accepted in person by calling the K of C members listed below, or they may be delivered to the K of C Building on West Fayette Avenue or by mail to:

Knights of Columbus #665, ID Fund Drive  Attn:  Tootsie Roll Chairman  P.O. Box 303  Effingham, IL  62401