More than 100 local volunteers will be at Warsaw intersections and storefronts for the Annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Fund Drive today and Saturday. The effort, which collects donations and gives Tootsie Rolls in exchange, routinely collects $15,000 to $20,000 over the course of two days. The funds go to support the Special Olympics of Kosciusko County and the Community Living Program of Cardinal Services. Community Living is a residential program that provides support to individuals enabling them to live in their own apartments or homes, and participate in the community. A person receives only the level of support they require, and live as independently as they are able. Cardinal supports 90 individuals in a Community Living setting. One of these is Ryan Morse. Morse holds down two jobs, one assembling parts at CCI Manufacturing and the other at Owen’s Supermarket, working carryout. He shares a house and support staff with three roommates. Recent changes to state funding of Medicaid contracts have had a deep impact on Community Living, leading many like Morse from one roommate, to two, three and in some cases four, to make ends meet. Staff hours have been reduced as well, and each hour cut restricts a person’s ability to move about in the community, or have assistance in their home. Funds raised through the Tootsie Roll Drive will go directly to the Community Living program, to increase the opportunities of people in the program. People like Morse.
