KEARNEYSVILLE, WVa. -- Jefferson County Schools (JCS) accepted a generous gift from the Knights of Columbus Council 13887 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Shepherdstown, WV, to provide resources to students with autism. Members of the organization gathered at North Jefferson Elementary School on February 23 to present JCS staff with a check for $2,000.
Bob Rizzo, Knights of Columbus financial secretary, said church members and volunteers met after Mass throughout the fall to collect donations at the Food Lion in Shepherdstown. The fundraising effort is part of the group's annual Tootsie Roll Campaign.
"We formed in 2005, and this was one of our first projects," he said.
Since its inception, the Knights of Columbus have raised over $22,000 for autism programming at JCS. Director of Special Programs Christy Horning expressed gratitude for the group's generosity.
"I'm so thankful for the continued support the Knights of Columbus have provided our students with autism in the district," she said.