Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Is the southernmost parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit in Temperance MI. Knights of Columbus Council #8902 call this parish home. This Council is devoted to their faith, the Order and to people in need whom they serve.

The Tootsie Roll Drive

Knights of Columbus Council #8902 in Temperance, MI, conducts their annual Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities, or Tootsie Roll Drive, in both the spring and in the fall of the year. The Council’s commitment to the Tootsie Roll Drive has strong ties to a family of their parish who has a son with special needs. This family has the same looming question that most parents in their situation do, “Who will take care of our child if something happens to us?” This family’s witness has been a driving force of Council 8902’s generosity.

Sir Knight Angelo Ialacci explains that through their bi-annual Tootsie Roll Drives, the Council has created a friendship with Fr. Enzo Addari, whom Ialacci also knows through mutual friends in Northville. In addition to supporting families locally, the Council is committed to supporting St. Louis Center, giving over $115,000 to the Center to care for the residents since getting involved. “We love St. Louis Center. What you do there is amazing. A true continuum of care.”

“We love St. Louis Center. What you do there is amazing. A true continuum of care.” – Angelo Ialacci

Supporting St. Louis Center

Ialacci further supports St. Louis Center residents by offering employment at his Grass Lake Marco’s Pizza. He and his wife Karen are pleased that they can offer such opportunities.

Prior to the pandemic, the Council invited Fr. Enzo and a group of residents and staff to join them at 5|3 Field to watch a Toledo Mud Hens game. Fr. Enzo was even given the opportunity to throw a ceremonial first pitch. The residents and the Knights truly enjoy the game and each other, creating an unbreakable bond that will keep these Knights committed to the cause.


This post is on page 22 of St. Louis Center’s 2021 Annual Report 2021.

Read St. Louis Center 2021 Annual Report


If this article or any of the stories of inspiration shared in St. Louis Center’s Annual Report move you, please consider a donation of any amount in support of the Center’s Benevolent Care fund.

St. Louis Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Federal Tax ID: 38-6038121.

79% of donations received go to the care of the Center’s residents.

According to the 2020 audit, St. Louis Center administrative and overhead expenses were only 21%, in line with well-managed nonprofit best practices. You can be confident that your donation to the Center is going to good use.