As a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, our Council has opted to conduct a virtual Tootsie Roll Drive this year in lieu of street corner solicitations. Since the founding of Council #6710 at St. Irene’s in 1975, we have never missed a year in helping to support a variety of organizations that assist the mentally disabled. Except for the cost of the candy, 100% of the money raised aids these charities.
Typically, we collect donations annually on the third week of September. However, due to the pandemic, this year we are going to try something a little different. Our Council is pursuing the idea of establishing a GoFundMe page in an effort to realize our goals to continue support of the mentally disabled. In these tough financial times, the funds are needed now more than ever.
Through our drive, we support the Special Olympics which was the original recipient of the funds when first established in 1970 by the Knights of
Columbus in Tinley Park, Illinois. Since that time, the drive has grown substantially. The drive is now conducted across 44 states. Our Council also helps to financially assist Cupertino Home (a Clarewoods Academy group home on Warren Ave., Warrenville), Special Camps for Special Citizens, Western DuPage Special Recreation District, and Illinois Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc.
In the near future, more information will become available to you so that you can help us in the 2020 Annual Tootsie Roll campaign. The virtual drive is target to be conducted during the month of September. No candy will be handed out this year, but you can still do your part to help us collect donations for this worthy cause. Our goal is $8,500. We are also seeking your input with the 2020 drive. Please contact, Nick Battaglia, Tootsie Roll Chair at 773-820-1752 if you have ideas as to how we can get the word out about the GoFundMe effort. The drive certainly will look different this year!