Catholic Mission In Canada

“The Tootsie Roll Fundraiser continues to gain momentum in Ontario,” says Jack Clancey, past State Deputy for Ontario of the Knights of Columbus.  

Jack and his wife Valery were in Florida when a member of the local Knights of Columbus handed them their first Tootsie Roll. Jack responded by giving the Knight a donation for the giveaway in support of a local charity. A few days later, they were shopping and received their second Tootsie Roll from another Knight. Again, Jack gave to support the campaign. 

After his second Tootsie Roll donation, Jack wondered: `` Why not do a Tootsie Roll campaign in Ontario to raise money for local charities?” After talking with the Florida Knights of Columbus, he discovered that the give-away raised as much as $100,000 in a single year! 

In 2004, Jackbecame the Ontario State Deputy. With the support of the then Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant, Jack ``rolled`` out the idea of a Tootsie Roll Giveaway Campaign to benefit charitable causes. It was decided that the net profits from the campaign would be divided: 30 per cent to support Catholic Missions In Canada, 30 per cent to support the Special Olympics, and the remaining 40 per cent to support local Ontario charities. 

Jack remembers well the day he heard Father Sebastien Groleau, a former president of Catholic Missions In Canada, describe how some missionary priests in northern Ontario had to support their church and its entire ministry with a collection of $25 a week. “That made quite an impression on me. These struggling Ontario parishes could not survive on so little. Something had to be done to help them.” 

Jack realized that donations for giving away Tootsie Rolls might just serve the purpose. Jack firmly believes:  “It’s the easiest way to raise money for a charity. And every time I ask anyone that has tried the Tootsie Roll ‘Giveaway’ campaign, they are quick to say they’d do it again. I urge every Council and District to give it a try!”

For more information contact:

• State Tootsie Roll Chairman: Joseph Mathews (905) 279-5057
• State Tootsie Roll Director: Joseph Salini: (807) 623-5378