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The Central Illinois Veterans
Commission hosted an appreciation luncheon on Sunday afternoon at
the Lincoln Banquet Center. The casual luncheon was held immediately
following the dedication of the CIVC’s tenth veteran tiny home
located on Adams Street in Lincoln.
Guests included those who work tirelessly to build the homes for
deserving veterans along with those who provide monetary support for
the CIVC program. Among the guests was Illinois Department of
Veteran Affairs Director Terry Prince, Illinois State Senator Sally
Turner, Logan County Board Member Kathy Schmidt, Lincoln Alderman
Sam Downs, a representative of the Woods Foundation, CIVC
volunteers, and some of the tiny home recipients including the
newest recipient Arthur Hill and his family members.
The day began with comments from CIVC Board Chairman Casey Cook. She
expressed great appreciation to all those who worked so hard at each
building site and thanked them for their continued dedication to the
project. She issued an additional thank you to the late Bill Dennis
and his wife Jeri who had donated land in Lincoln for tiny home
construction. She said one home had been built and there was room on
the lot for three more with intentions of constructing those homes
in 2027.
Cook made note of Director Prince in the audience, saying that he
had been instrumental in securing grants from the Illinois State
Lottery funds in the amount of approximately $300,000 over the last
three years.
She recognized the generosity of the Woods Foundation as that group
had also made sizeable donations to the CIVC.
Recognition was also given to the partnership between Hope on 5th
and CIVC, and special thanks given to all the local businesses and
individuals who support the CIVC each year.
Cook shared that the CIVC had enough funding that it would be
constructing a warehouse for the safe storage of materials and
equipment for future builds.
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She said the tiny
home project was an act of love and respect for deserving
veterans and noted “Behind every veteran is a story,” saying
those were the stories worth knowing.
She concluded in a blanket thank you
saying the board of the CIVC greatly appreciated the community
believing in the work of CIVC and the generosity it has shown the
projects over the years.
Immediately following Cooks comments, CIVC Administrative Assistant
Julie King led the room in prayer, then everyone was invited to
enjoy the lunch provided. Food had been prepared by Flossie &
Delzena’s and included pulled pork, chips, two choices of soup, and
an array of delicious desserts.
[Nila Smith]
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