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Phyllis Beccue of Mount
Pulaski's American Legion Auxiliary Post 447 coordinated local
efforts for raising funds toward supplying basic needs of everyday
living for homeless veterans in Decatur. Dan O'Loughlin and Lucy
Brownlee of D&O Properties One of Decatur have written a funded
grant toward the renovation of apartments, condos and small houses
in Decatur to be used for housing homeless veterans. Dan, a local
Decatur contractor, remarked that of all the homes and businesses he
has built over the years, this homeless veterans project is by far
the most satisfying. Mount Pulaski's American Legion is one of the
first organizations that have stepped forward in this project.
Initially, Phyllis enlisted the support of her women's auxiliary.
Then, the Sons of Legion Veterans and the veterans of Mount Pulaski's
American Legion Ryman-Fuiten Post 447 quickly jumped on board. Next,
Phyllis requested support from Mount Pulaski Grade School, where she
had retired from teaching a few years ago. Mrs. Dickson, the
school's counselor, quickly got on board with this project and
enlisted support from the school's eighth-grade student council
members.
Friday, Mrs. Dickson and 15 of these students showed up at Mount Pulaski's Dollar General
and Johnson's Food Center to purchase needed items for the house for
homeless veterans, which will be named Mount Pulaski House. The
students raised $239 for this project. Together with additional
funds raised by Phyllis, and some additional financial backing by
Dollar General and Doug Johnson of Johnson's Foods, the students
went shopping.
Sgt. Jacob Deavers from Maroa was on hand to
help the students do the shopping. Deavers had just returned within the past week
from his tour of duty in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and was invited
by Ms. Brownlee to join them.
Pictures and information from
Phil Bertoni
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Lucy Brownlee, Phyllis Beccue and Dan O'Loughlin. |
Students with their counselor, Ms. Dickson,
discuss their shopping lists. |
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