Jon Wilson of Perry, grand knight of the St. Patrick’s Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 1243, did not wear a Santa suit Monday, but he did bring Christmas joy to some of Perry’s essential workers in the form of Tootsie Rolls.
Every fall the St. Pat’s Knights of Columbus can be seen, bearing Tootsie Rolls outside local grocery stores and sporting bright yellow and red bib aprons reading, “Helping People with Intellectual Disabilities – Knights of Columbus.”
The COVID-19 global epidemic upset the normal course of donations, leaving the Knights with extra candy. Wilson said the Knights distributed the Tootsies to the Perry Food Pantry, Dallas County EMS, Perry Police Department and Dallas County Hospital.
“Thank you so much,” said Judy Hillman, administrative assistant at the Dallas County Hospital, in accepting a case of sweets from Wilson. “We’ll share these among all the staff,” she said.
The West Central Area of Special Olympics Iowa usually receives the proceeds of the annual St. Pat’s Knights’ fundraiser. The area includes includes Audubon, Boone, Carroll, Dallas, Guthrie, Marion, Polk and Warren counties.
“We appreciate your support,” said Perry Police Department Officer Josh Sienkiewicz, in accepting a case of Tootsie Rolls from Wilson. “This will really sweeten up the holidays for us.”
Chicago-based Tootsie Roll Industries has manufactured the mildly chocolate-flavored, taffy-like, non-melting candy since 1907.
