The Perryville Knights of Columbus Council No. 1263’s 52nd annual Tootsie Roll Drive treated donors with the small chocolate candies but had a much larger treat for the whole community, particularly for 17-year-old Lucas Fritsche.
When Fritsche was in third grade, he noticed that his friend with disabilities could only play on the swings. Wanting to give his friend and others with disabilities the same opportunity to play that he did, Fritsche got to work on the idea for an all-inclusive playground. He presented his ideas at his school and spoke with the city about making his dream come true.
Lucas’ mother, Jennifer Fritsche, and a group of volunteers put together a plan to construct Phase 1 of the playground on the west side of French Lane, with the help of Unlimited Play Playgrounds. It included a huge ramping structure, tree house and musical equipment.
The project took $500,000 to complete through donations and various fundraising efforts, with the playground officially opening on Oct. 6, 2021. The second phase, which opened on Nov. 9 of this year, includes swings, a pavilion and other features. Along with events like those from the Knights of Columbus, about $200,000 was needed to complete Phase 2.
Since its start, the project has been a partnership between the Fritsches, Perry County and the city of Perryville, along with countless local businesses and volunteers.
The Knights of Columbus saw Perryville’s all-inclusive playground as a worthy cause that could benefit the community, particularly those with disabilities.
“Every year, the Knights of Columbus, both in Missouri and Illinois, raise funds for the developmentally disabled,” said Tom Zarlingo, Tootsie Roll Drive chairman and Knights of Columbus membership director. “Our local goal was $8,000. We had our best year this year.”
In total, the Tootsie Roll Drive raised $10,998 in 2024 for the developmentally disabled.
“It was approved at our membership meeting to give some of the funds this year to the Lucas and Friends Backyard Adventures Playground at the Robert J. Miget Memorial Park.”
The Knights of Columbus donated $5,099 of the Tootsie Roll Drive’s proceeds for Fritsche to use for communication boards. Over the last seven years, the Catholic fraternal organization has donated $24,383 to the playground project.
