GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Knights of Columbus 2012 Tootsie Roll Drive kicked off at a recent City Council meeting when Mayor Robert Craft proclaimed October as “Knights of Columbus Intellectually Disabled Individuals awareness” month.

The Knights of Columbus is a worldwide Catholic fraternal organization based on four basic principles; Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Each year during the month of October they conduct their annual Tootsie Roll Drive to support local and statewide efforts in assisting People with Intellectual Disabilities. In this regard, they are non-denominational.

All funds collected by the local council during this drive stay within the community and the state of Alabama, with 80 percent staying in the Gulf Shores area and 20 percent going to the state council for statewide use. The entire effort is done using only volunteer labor and generous donations from Individuals and local area businesses.

As a result of last year’s Drive, they were able to provide funding to Gulf Shores Elementary, Middle and High School special needs programs, assisted in construction of a playground specifically designed for children with special needs, as well as, the local Special Olympics.

Budget cuts in the education as well as social programs aimed at assisting the intellectually disabled have and will continue to have a devastating effect. The proceeds from the Drive have had a very positive impact helping to minimize this unfortunate situation.

They will be conducting their “on the ground” portion of the Tootsie Roll Drive on Oct. 11-13 various retail locations in Gulf Shores.