Developmental Disabilities 'Tootsie Roll' Drive

Worthy Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries,

Included below are some useful links to aid you in your DDD planning & execution:

• Update: 2020 DDD Final Report Form Use this to close out your Council's DD Drive for the year.
• Checklist of DDD Best Practices
• Quarter sheet your Council can use as a template to hand out to those who might want to contribute via credit card.  Your Council will need to alter the template with your Council name and number.  We will create a Continue to Give Council-specific website accepting credit card payments when I receive your Tootsie Roll order.
• DDD Pulpit Announcement  Councils can use this announcement, with permission from your pastors to announce and give purpose to the DD Drive at all your masses.  

Copies of the State Council-provided liability insurance will be available 01 SEP  

     Developmental Disabilities Drive Parish Bulletin Campaign 2020

Copy the content below out for use in your parish bulletins over the three weeks leading up to your DD Drive.

Week 1:

The Power of the Tootsie Roll Drive

     In 1981, the Missouri Knights of Columbus established the first developmental center in the region dedicated to children with special needs. The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center grew from a small staff of three in the lower level of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, to a team of experts in developmental pediatrics, neurology, psychiatry, psychology, clinal nursing, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, family resources, education coordination, research and support. In 2007, the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center was designated as a Missouri Center for Autism by the Department of Mental Health. The Developmental Centers’ efforts have contributed to the statewide development of best practices for screening and treatment guidelines for autism spectrum disorders. In 2012, the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center moved to their own facility, brightly colored and spacious, with separate parking and a separate entrance located right next to the hospital at 3800 Park Avenue. The Developmental Center now helps over 5000 patients a year, a quadrupling of capacity in the new facility.

     Our annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” has been the main fund raiser for the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center for decades. Covid 19 has severely limited donations at our traditional collection points. Councils all over the state are turning to electronic giving for Donations. If you wish to donate to help support our efforts, log online to www.continuetogive.com/tootsieroll55555. Your local council, Fr. McGivney Council 55555 and the Missouri State Knights of Columbus Thanks you for your support!

Week 2:

The Good Works of the Tootsie Roll Drive made possible by your Donation

     The mission of the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is to enhance and support children and adolescents with autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders in reaching their highest potential through comprehensive evaluation, care, family guidance, education and innovative research. The health care team understands that having a child with special needs can affect many aspects of a family’s life. Patients receive a comprehensive evaluation based on their individual needs. The Center’s team provides recommendations for treatment and education for both the home and school which can be shared with the referring physician. The Family Resource specialist provides families with ongoing support and helps the family locate the appropriate resources in the community.

     Our annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” has been the main fund raiser for the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center for decades. Covid 19 has severely limited our traditional collection points creating a shortfall of donations. Councils all over the state are turning to electronic giving. Please Donate and help support our efforts, log online to www.continuetogive.com/tootsieroll55555.   Just follow the prompts. Any amount is appreciated. Your local council, Fr. McGivney Council 55555 and the Missouri State Knights of Columbus Thanks You for your Donation.

Week 3:

It is a Difficult Year for All of Us and Difficult to have a Tootsie Roll Drive

The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center helps over 5000 patients a year and is involved in many innovative clinics:

• Dog Therapy Clinic - Intervention for children with anxiety related to medical settings and difficulties in social communication.
• Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) – Social skills group for adolescents.
• Move to Communicate Clinic – An early intervention group based on The Early Start Denver Model.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) clinic.

The Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon is nationally recognized as one of the 14 Autism Treatment Network sites in the U.S. and Canada that provides comprehensive diagnosis, intervention, family support and professional education services.

     Our annual “Tootsie Roll” Drive has been the major fund raiser in support of the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center for almost 50 years. Covid 19 has severely limited donations at our traditional collection points. Councils all over the state are turning to electronic giving to make up the difference. Please consider a donation, any amount is greatly appreciated! Log on to www.continuetogive.com/tootsieroll55555 and follow the prompts. Your local council, Fr McGivney Council 55555 and the Missouri State Knights of Columbus 

Please advise any questions or difficulties, so we can work with you to make this a successful Drive in spite of the changeable circumstances.

Peter Nicastro

Community Director

communitydirector@mokofc.org 

Roland Cretel

Developmental Disabilities West

dddwest@mokofc.org

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