2021 Tootsie Roll Drive
Collected $10,500.
The drive was conducted this year on Wednesday, Sep 15, and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Sep 17-19.) We were limited to collecting only at the transfer station, the three Market Baskets, and the Liquor Store. Someone was sighted at the Wal-mart, but that is unofficial. We had a good group of Knights as volunteers and we really had great support from members of groups that we support with this campaign. Last year's organizations included Salem Blue Devil Special Olympics; Dancing Among Stars - theater group; Bridging the Horizon; Kimi Nichols Center; Camp Fatima. This year we will propose the same organizations be identified to receive funds.
This fund raiser helps each of the organizations to continue to operate and carry on their programming to support people with intellectual disabilities.
This event allows for knights and non-members to come together to:
1. Increase awareness of those in need in the community;
2. Support people with intellectual disabilities;
3. Interface with the community and educate citizens on how the knights are actively involved with fund raising and supporting those in need in our community;
4. Many non-members who volunteer display pride in being able to support this drive, collect money for their organizations, talk and engage with the public and offer a chance for people to ask questions about the organizations who benefit from the drive's funds.
I want to thank our Knights who volunteered their time: Gene Bryant, Mike Petrilli, Paul St Amand (who broke the coin counter), Ed Lynch, Larry Belair, Chris Alphen, Butch Kealey, Al Cormier, Paul Reitano, Bill Sylvestri, Mark Alfano, Bob Gatta, Wes Suszek, Bob Fornier, Joe Balzano, Dan Buck, Ed Herger, Ralph Miele, John Gagnon, Rick Veilleux, Julien Roy, Dr. Stan Gorgol, Paul Lavioe, Chris Conard, George Masciarelli, Chanel Simard, Pete Klecan, and Bruce Silver. (Don’t forget Pauline and Pam Gorgol and Kris Klecan! -ed) We had 28 Knights and 44 civilians volunteer a total of about 233 hours.