Local organizations serving persons with developmental disabilities are benefiting from gifts of the Westmont St. John Council #3738 of the Knights of Columbus (http://kofc3738.org/). The gifts were made possible by the Council’s annual September Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive in September. Knights and other volunteers of Council 3738 raised $18,000 by distributing Tootsie Rolls® for donations at area intersections, stores, churches, and train stations—part of a statewide drive that raises nearly $2 million annually.
“These gifts benefit organizations providing educational, recreational, residential, respite, and therapy services,” said Joe Moffa, Grand Knight of Council 3738. “All proceeds from this drive are earmarked for 501(c)3 organizations serving persons with intellectual disabilities.”
Receiving gifts from Council 3738 were
- Community Support Services, Inc. (http://www.communitysupportservices.org/), of Brookfield, which provides adult and residential services, supported employment,respite, and other services to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.
- Elite Stars Athletics (http://elitestars.org/), of Schaumburg, which provides specialized training for individuals with developmental and physical limitations.
- Gigi’s Playhouse of Hoffman Estates (http://gigisplayhouse.org/hoffmanestates/), which provides specialized teaching, resources, and other support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
- Hanson Center of Burr Ridge, a Ray Graham Association (https://ray-graham.org/services-programs/) community learning center that offers a range of programs for adults with disabilities and recreational programs for children and adults with and without disabilities.
- Little Friends, Inc. (http://littlefriendsinc.org/), of Naperville, operating alternative schools, family support and consultation services, vocational training programs, and community-based residential services for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
- Marklund at Mill Creek (http://www.marklund.org/), of Geneva, which provides residential services for persons with profound developmental disabilities and special health-care needs.
- Misericordia Home (https://www.misericordia.com/), of Chicago, which offers a variety of residential and other services for persons with mild to profound disabilities
- Ready Set Ride (http://www.readysetride.org/), of Plainfield, which offers therapeutic equine recreation activities to persons with special needs
- School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (http://www.sased.org/) Transition Center, of Westmont, which offers post-secondary and vocational services to students with developmental disabilities.
- Soaring Eagle Academy (http://soaringeagleacademy.org/index.php), of Lombard, a therapeutic day school for K-12 students with autism.
- The South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (http://www.seaspar.org/), of Downers Grove, providing recreation programs and services for area residents with disabilities.
- Special Camps for Special Citizens (http://www.specialcamps.org/), of Winfield, which provides overnight camps that help persons with developmental disabilities increase their independence and self-esteem.
- Religious Education Apostolate for the Christian Handicapped(REACH) program at Holy Trinity Parish in Westmont, and the Christos program at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Darien.
“With the continued help and support of the K of C, the Elite Stars can continue to provide top notch coaching, facilities, services and opportunities to individuals with special needs,” said Mike Jones, Elite Stars Foundation president. “The K of C has been passionate about our mission and has walked our journey with us since day one. We are forever grateful.”
“Little Friends relies on the kindness and generosity of civic organizations like the Knights of Columbus to help us empower children and adults with special challenges, and their families, to live, learn, work, and thrive in our community,” said Renee Miklosik, vice president for Agency Advancement at Little Friends, Inc. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Knights and value their many years of service and generosity to our agency.”
In addition to local gifts determined by each council, 10 percent of proceeds of drives among all Illinois councils go to statewide programs such as Special Olympics (https://www.soill.org/knights-of-columbus/).
The Knights of Columbus (http://www.kofc.org), incorporated in 1882, is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization, with 1.9 million members in more than 15,000 councils. Council #3738, founded in 1953, includes more than 300 men in Westmont and neighboring communities.