Surrounding Cardinal Services Representative Nina Unternahrer are members of the Knights of Columbus Jerry Nelson, seated left, Pat Cox, seated right, Crag Smith, standing left, and Dave Smolen, standing right.

WARSAW — This Friday and Saturday the Knights of Columbus and a hundred volunteers will be standing at intersections, street corners and storefronts throughout Warsaw, waving Tootsie Rolls and collecting donations for disability services in Kosciusko County. 

The annual Tootsie Roll Drive has become a rite of spring that, over the years, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars — approximately $520,000 since 1986 — all of it remaining in the community and donated to Special Olympics, Magical Meadows and Cardinal Services.

According to Knight Steve Sudhoff, the 2019 donation to Cardinal will go to their Career Links program. Career Links is an employment program, supporting people with disabilities working at jobs in the community. Career Links works with employers to determine jobs available and the skills they need in a good employee. They then work with people to assure they have the skills and are a good match. Once a worker is in place, Career Links continues to support both employer and employee with ongoing training and job counseling. Last year, Career Links worked with 312 people to help them secure and excel in good jobs in our community.  

Nina Unternahrer, pictured above with members of the Knights of Columbus, is a Career Links client who works at the McDonald’s in front of Lowe’s on SR 15 in Warsaw. She also attends Cardinal’s Day Services program and enjoys spending time in RedBird Art Studio making jewelry and painting. 

But it’s her job in the community that means the most to Nina. Working and learning new things, earning a paycheck and making new friends are the best part of each day. Her income allows Nina more independence and she draws great enjoyment from meeting new people.

“I love my job at McDonald’s,” said Unternahrer.  “The people I work with and meet there are a lot of fun, which makes me happy. And I’m good at my job – I keep the place looking nice, which I think is important.”

The 2018 Tootsie Roll Drive is this Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27. Volunteers may still sign up to help by calling Michelle Boxell at (574) 371-1387, or the day of the event, simply go to the Sacred Heart garage beside the school on Lindburg Street to help.