By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Local Knights of Columbus members will hand out Tootsie Rolls in front of many Hays businesses Friday through Sunday during the 49th annual Tootsie Roll drive to help people with intellectual disabilities.

Eighty percent of the donations from Tootsie Roll weekend stays in Hays and is given to local organizations that work with these special citizens.

The balance of the collections is given to the state "Commitment to Humanity" fund, which helps finance projects such as the Special Olympics.

Last year the Knights of Columbus gave $23,000 to the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.&nbsp;

The K of C Tootsie Roll Drive also supports the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) Consumer Medical Fund, a fund that assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the cost of medical items and care that are not covered by Medicaid.

Statewide, more than $364,000 was collected in 2019 during the Tootsie Roll drive.&nbsp;

There are more than 38,283 K of C members in Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602245098236.jpeg" alt="Hays city commissioners with local Knights of Columbus members Thursday. The annual Tootsie Roll drive is this weekend.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hays city commissioners with local Knights of Columbus members Thursday. The annual Tootsie Roll drive is this weekend.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostLocal Knights of Columbus members will hand out Tootsie Rolls in front of many Hays businesses Friday through Sunday during the 49th annual Tootsie Roll drive to help people with intellectual disabilities.Eighty percent of the donations from Tootsie Roll weekend stays in Hays and is given to local organizations that work with these special citizens.The balance of the collections is given to the state "Commitment to Humanity" fund, which helps finance projects such as the Special Olympics.Last year the Knights of Columbus gave $23,000 to the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.&nbsp;The K of C Tootsie Roll Drive also supports the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) Consumer Medical Fund, a fund that assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the cost of medical items and care that are not covered by Medicaid.Statewide, more than $364,000 was collected in 2019 during the Tootsie Roll drive.&nbsp;There are more than 38,283 K of C members in Kansas.&nbsp;

Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll fundraiser this weekend