Wednesday morning, the Perry Council of the Knights of Columbus presented checks to three schools, with money raised from their recent Tootsie Roll fundraiser.

Representatives of the Knights, including Perry’s Grand Knight John Wilson, went to St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Perry Elementary, and West Central Valley Elementary to hand out checks to help the schools’ special education programs. At Perry Elementary, after presenting a check for $462.46 to Director of Learning Laura Skeel, Wilson told Raccoon Valley Radio about the fundraiser. “About a month or two ago, we were outside the grocery stores on weekends for donations, and we were giving out Tootsie Rolls. People think we’re selling them, but we’re giving. 10% of that money goes right off the top to the state Special Olympics. And then the other 90% stays local.”

Skeel expressed her appreciation to the Knights of Columbus for their hard work and generosity in supporting the school. She talked about how the funds will be spent. “So we’ll use it for students with behavior challenges for different reinforcement. Either ‘fidget’ items that they can use to help calm down, or iPads that they use when they have met the reward for the day and are able to have some reward time.”

St. Pat’s in Perry and West Central Valley Elementary received similar-sized checks from the Knights as well.