It’s Tootsie Roll weekend in Hays.  You can satisfy your sweet tooth with a chocolate Tootsie Roll and help keep the Special Olympics Kansas program rolling.

Knights of Columbus volunteers are handing out the candy in front of many Hays businesses through Sunday.

Knight Warren Schmidt of Catherine was stationed near the doors of Cerv’s convenience store on Hall Street Saturday afternoon.  “It’s been really busy the first hour, and people have been very generous in donating money,” he reports.  “Some don’t even take the Tootsie Roll!”

The 71-year-old Schmidt has been a Knight since the age of 18.

80% of the money collected stays in Hays, according to  Rocky Feltis, K of C District Deputy #45.

Last year the Knights of Columbus donated $23,000 to the state K of C Special Olympics basketball tournament hosted in Hays at FHSU Gross Memorial Coliseum.