The Knights of Columbus in Pella have started their Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.

The Knights and athletes from Pella and Pella Christian will be in front of Pella Hy-Vee, Fareway, and Walmart during the days and evenings through Saturday, August 26th. Joe Lickteig with the Knights of Columbus tells KNIA/KRLS News they also plan to contact local businesses during a phone drive on Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. Lickteig says they are also hoping to open doors and find work for the displaced workforce of Christian Opportunity Center as they phase out of sheltered employment.

Additionally, Lickteig says high school athletes from Pella and Pella Christian will be participating in a team challenge in front of the local stores.

“The kids are not only great fundraisers, but they get a chance to learn about kids in their own school–their peers who have intellectual disabilities, and one of the neat things about the program is that the team that raises the most funds gets to present that check to the special education department of their representative school,” he says.

Residents can donate by stopping by one of the three stores and making to donations to volunteers wearing yellow in exchange for tootsie rolls. The group has the goal of raising $20,000 this year, trying to break last year’s record year.

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