QUENTIN ROUX / Staff

Knights of Columbus financial controller Wayne Waldack displays a couple of checks destined for charitable organizations following the order's successful "Tootsie Roll" sales during the past year.

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It’s a simple economic concept: high turnover of a low-priced item yields a solid profit.

Such has been the case with the Knights of Columbus of Marco Island, whose simple Tootsie Roll fundraising sales over the past year have yielded nearly $7,000 for charity.

This week, Knights of Columbus member Wayne Waldack mailed off checks for $3,380.57 to the Special Olympics organization of Collier County, and Dreams Are Free (a school for children with learning disabilities in Sarasota) on behalf of the members.

The Marco order, Waldack said, doesn’t receive a great deal of publicity in the media, but is responsible for plenty of ongoing charitable work on the part of its 297 members.

Members are required to be practicing members of the Catholic Church, and occupy hierarchical levels known as degrees — from one to four, with four being the senior level.

Originally established in 1888 in Connecticut by Father Michael McGivney, The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families, according to information posted online by the organization.

Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families, while social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

Since inception, it has grown to more than 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

Marco’s order meets regularly each month, Waldack said.