James Harrison is an Australian known as “The Man with the Golden Arm”. Over a period of sixty years, Mr. Harrison donated blood 1,173 times; His blood contains a rare, powerful antibody that helps fight a blood disease which can be fatal for babies. One donation at a time, one drop of blood at a time, it is estimated that the blood donated by Mr. Harrison played a role in saving the lives of 2.4 million Australian babies! “The Man with the Golden Arm.” illustrates the power of one action at a time making the world a better place.
Likewise, one action at a time, the local Knights of Columbus help make the world a better place by receiving numerous donations, one at a time, from individuals throughout local communities for Tootsie Rolls during their annual Tootsie Roll Drive. The Knights of Columbus in Plainview, Bellchester, Lake City, and Kellogg raised a total of nearly $3,000 which has been donated to Great River Homes to help make the world a better place for people with disabilities. This year’s money will be used by Great River Homes to help offset the cost of two vehicle purchases. One of these vehicles will be equipped with the required adaptations for two passengers who use wheelchairs so these two people will be able to ride together instead of having to take two separate vehicles. The other vehicle will have two specialized seats (the front passenger, and the rear driver’s side). These seats will swing outside of the vehicle and lower so a person who has depth perception or balance concerns can safely and independently sit down in these seats and raise themselves into the vehicle using a remote control.
Each of us at Great River Homes appreciate the generosity of each community member who donated to the Tootsie Roll Drive and helped make the world a better place, one Tootsie Roll at a time. We also wish to thank the Knights of Columbus for their annual donation and for making the world a better place, one year at a time, for many years!