Knights of Columbus from left; Jerry Nelson, Steve Sudhoff, Chuck Whitcraft and Dan Hampton surrounding Amy, one of 68 people benefitting from Cardinal Services’ community living program. (Photo provided)

WARSAW — Last year, the Knights of Columbus handed out 16,800 Tootsie Rolls and raised $22,478 with their annual Tootsie Roll Drive. This Friday and Saturday they are poised to do it again in what has become an annual rite of spring.

On Friday and Saturday, volunteers in bright yellow vests will be waving Tootsie Rolls and collecting donations to support programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Over the years, the Knights of Columbus has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars – $342,000 since 1997 – all of it remaining in the community and donated to Special Olympics, Magical Meadows and Cardinal Services.

The donation to Cardinal goes to support the community living program empowering people to live in their own apartments with just the amount of staff support they need and want. For people who have been in institutions and group homes most of their lives, it’s an enormous and liberating change. Rather than being limited to what’s best for the group, they make their own day-to-day choices based on what they want. This independence often leads to tremendous personal growth and increased quality of life.

Amy has experienced this first-hand. Living in a Cardinal group home, she wanted her own place, but the state decides who gets to move and when. Last fall, after years of waiting, Amy got word that she’d been approved. With an enormous smile and a high five, she shared the news with everyone she passed – I’m moving into my own place. Her excitement was shared by everyone she touched.

In January, Amy moved into her new apartment. She now has one roommate instead of the seven she had previously, and the two women share a staff person. Together, they decide if they are going out or staying in, what movie to watch, what’s for dinner, etc. With a bedroom of her own now, she has the freedom to decide how to decorate her room and surround herself with the things she enjoys.

Amy is looking forward to going to concerts in the park for the first time this summer, and has already discovered that she loves to take walks around the shopping area near her apartment. Having more basic, personal choice in her daily life is increasing Amy’s confidence and sense of her own value.

The 2016 Tootsie Roll Drive is this Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7. Volunteers are still being sought to work 2-hour shifts, and may call Linda Bruss at (574) 371-1312 to sign up.