St. Irene Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive

Very soon, you may be asking yourself; “Why haven’t I seen those cheery, smiling men and women in their bright yellow vests on street corners asking for donations for the intellectually disabled? I usually see them out everywhere around this time of year.  As a token of thanks for my donation, I receive Tootsie Roll candy in return. 

Well, as with most regular events, the donation drive (affectionately known by many as the Tootsie Roll Drive) conducted annually by the Knights of Columbus has been cancelled due to the CoVid-19 pandemic.  However, as you can imagine, the need for funds by organizations whose mission is to support individuals with intellectual disabilities is greater than ever during these trying times. 

In response to this continued and increasing need, the Knights of Columbus Council of St Irene  Catholic Community, Warrenville, IL is conducting a virtual Tootsie Roll Drive in lieu of curbside solicitations to help the cause.  Through this GoFundMe page, we are asking for your monetary support to financially assist organizations aiding the intellectually disabled.  The goal this year for our Council is $10,000. 

The St. Irene’s Knights of Columbus Council has been collecting funds to aid the intellectually disabled every year since 1975. Our campaign will support locally-based organizations such as the Warrenville Cupertino Home  whose mission is to “assist adults with mental disabilities to become self-sufficient and self-directed in areas of personal growth, general health, education, social and emotional well-being and functional living skills.”  In addition, we provide funding for Special Camps for Special Citizens , Western DuPage Special Recreation Association , and Illinois Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc.

The Knights of Columbus is a worldwide Catholic fraternal order composed of practicing Catholic men and was founded in 1882.  Charity is at the heart of its mission. All 100% of the funds we receive from this GoFundMe drive go to support these organizations.  The money is deposited into Illinois State Council Knights of Columbus Charites , Inc., a non-profit charity.  The money is then distributed to the designated organizations.  All manpower involved is through Knights and their families volunteering time, labor and funds.  

Thank you for any financial support you can provide to this most worthy cause! With your donation this year, we can only, unfortunately, offer you a “virtual” Tootsie Roll.