Knights in Morristown support local groups

HELPING THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED Fred Derochers collects money on the street for Knights of Columbus Council 6730. Courtesy of Allen Keller

HELPING THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED Fred Derochers collects money on the street for Knights of Columbus Council 6730. Courtesy of Allen Keller

The citizens of Hamblen County again responded to the needs of people with mental challenges for the 33rd year. During the Knights of Columbus’ annual Tootsie Roll street collections last fall after Thanksgiving and before Christmas, local citizens and businesses gave more than $9,300. This money came in from roadblocks and collection points at Food City and Walmart.

Knights of Columbus Council 6730 at St. Patrick Church in Morristown recently gave $4,300 to seven groups from the Five Rivers area: the Sutherland Metz Home for mentally challenged males, Morristown East High School special-education classes, Lincoln Elementary special education, Manley Elementary preschool, the Special Olympics, the Riding High therapeutic horse program, and the Central Services Cerebral Palsy Fund.

An amount of $4,350 will go to other mental-health agencies in Tennessee. Since 1981 Council 6730 has given away more than $356,300 to local agencies that help people with mental difficulties.