The local Knights of Columbus, St Bernards Council 8702, conducts every year, around Labor Day, a Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, more affectionately known as the Knights Tootsie Roll Drive.
Members collect free-will donations while handing out extra large tootsie rolls to everyone. From the profits of the donations, 10 percent goes directly to support the Iowa Special Olympics, along with donations from councils throughout the state.
The remaining 90 percent is then donated locally to Mosaic and the Clarke Special Olympics team. This year the Knights of Columbus were able to make donations totaling $1,537.71, the largest amount since 2003.
Since the council started participating, in 1998, members have been able to donate locally a total of $20,955.
A special thanks goes to Osceola Fareway, Hy-Vee, and Walmart for allowing the Knights of Columbus to set up in front of their locations. Thanks and recognition also goes to the residents of Osceola and Clarke County for their donations. Without their generosity the council could not be successful with this program.