FORT FAIRFIELD and PRESQUE ISLEm, Maine — The Knights of Columbus Northern Maine Council 1753 of Fort Fairfield recently notified Central Aroostook Association it would continue its 20-year tradition of a charitable donation.
Sean Bernard, Grand Knight of the Northern Maine Council 1753, announced Central Aroostook Association as the recipient of the 2017 People with Disabilities Fund fundraising campaign, also known as the Tootsie Roll Fund. The council has participated in the fundraiser since 1979.
Collectively, Knights of Columbus International set their own record for charitable donations in the amount of over $177 million in 2016. Maine councils have awarded over $3 million toward services for people with intellectual disabilities, with $80,000 given throughout Maine in 2017 alone.
Founded in 1882 in Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus maintain charity as their first principle. Locally, the Fort Fairfield council celebrated its 100th year anniversary in 2014.
Accepting the $500 check was CAA Executive Director Steve Richard. Bernard stated “We recognize the diverse education that is provided to youth at Opportunity Training Center and the scope of service you provide for all ages. This donation, like those in the past, is our continued support of the work done to improve the quality of life for those who you serve.”
Central Aroostook Association began its journey in 1959, when a group of parents who wanted programming for their children with developmental disabilities placed an ad in the local papers. This group formed a small association, which now provides services for youth and adults in eight different programs and employs 150 staff. Over 400 people are provided with services on a regular basis.
