The tiny homes are being constructed by 2-X-4’s for
Hope, an organization out of Quincy whose goal is to provide housing
for all veterans in need. The tiny homes are a “stick-built” from
the ground up permanent structure. Having the homes offered in
Lincoln did require a special zoning allowance by the city.
Locally, the campaign for tiny homes in Lincoln and Logan County is
being driven by the Central Illinois Veteran’s Commission, a newly
formed organization led by local Veteran Joe Schaler and Veteran
Advocate Marcia Fernandes.
On Saturday morning tents were set up outside RP
Lumber on Woodlawn Road, where the community was invited to stop by,
write a message for the veteran home recipient on two-by-four lumber
that will be used to construct the first tiny home. Throughout the
morning a large number of people stopped by writing messages,
signing their names, and making donations to the 2-X-4 for Hope’s
first build in Lincoln.
Among the visitors to the tents was United States
Congressman representing the Illinois District 18 Darin LaHood.
LaHood was in Lincoln for the day, and had started out in the
morning at the city wide clean-up event led by local resident Scott
Turner. He then visited the tents at RP Lumber. After that, he led a
meeting of his Veterans Advisory Committee in Lincoln, then attended
the groundbreaking ceremonies for the first tiny home.
Fernandes noted that there had been a selection of
2-X-4’s taken to local schools where children decorated the boards
and wrote messages to the veteran who will receive the home. She
said there are plans this week to take the blank pieces of wood to
other communities in the county for additional signing
opportunities.
Fernandes also explained that once construction begins, the tiny
home will be completed in eight days. The construction of the home
includes the finished exterior and interior, furnishing, and even
food in the fridge and cabinets. When the key is turned over to the
new owner it will truly be a move-in-ready completed home.
According to Mark Lawrence of 2-X-4’s for Hope, there is a large
demand for the homes that are being built for veterans. While the
application process is still underway for the first home in Lincoln,
there is already a number of applicants seeking to be the first
recipient.
Just before noon on Saturday the tents at RP Lumber were taken down
and moved to the site of the groundbreaking. They were reassembled
and the pieces of lumber were set out for signing opportunities
prior to the groundbreaking.
The first of the tiny homes in Lincoln will be located on a corner
lot at the intersection of College Street and Sixth Street. It is
reported that there is space on the lot for up to four such homes to
be erected.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at 1:30 p.m.
with those manning shovels including (left to right) Dan Benedict
with the Logan County Veterans Assistance Commission, Fernandes,
Rachel Oney with the Lincoln Logan County Salvation Army; Haji Patel
who has donated the land for the build, LaHood, city of Lincoln
Treasurer Chuck Conzo, Mayor Tracey Welch, Schaler, Mark Lawrence
and his wife Chris.
[to top of second column] |
Lawrence was the first to speak during the
groundbreaking. He thanked all who were in attendance. He noted that
the day had included some very good discussions at LaHood’s late
morning meeting. He said that there are a lot of issues involving
veterans, and he was happy to report that those issues are being
addressed, and he is optimistic that good things are yet to come.
Lawrence acknowledged Schaler, who has been working to bring the
building project to the community. He noted that soil had already
been turned for the building project. He said that the property
donated by Patel had some overgrowth and trees, so clearing of the
lot had begun prior to the groundbreaking.
LaHood thanked the Lawrences and 2-X-4 for Hope for
recognizing and addressing a veteran need not just in Logan County
but throughout the area.
He also asked that all the veterans be recognized
with a round of applause. He noted that he has raised his children
to understand and appreciate the sacrifices of our veterans who have
given so much to assure the freedoms of his children are not
compromised. LaHood noted that the construction of the home
symbolizes a community able and willing to give back to the veterans
who have sacrificed much for those same freedoms.
LaHood also noted the presence of other state representatives
including Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
Terry Prince and State Representative Tim Butler. Illinois Senator
Sally Turner was also present and recognized later.
LaHood concluded saying, “We can never do enough for our veterans,
and giving back to them, that is what this day is all about, so full
speed ahead.”
Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch also addressed the group.
Welch noted that as a veteran himself, he embraced this project full
on. He said that he respected and appreciated what the Lawrences’
are doing, building homes for veterans throughout the region. All
veterans, Welch noted, “go out there and defend our freedom, and it
is our responsibility when they come home, to make sure that we do
what is right for them. This is an example of that, and we need to
continue doing that.”
Schaler spoke last thanking all those who had come. He noted that
getting this project to come together had been a long time coming.
He thanked the 2-X-4’s for Hope and the city of Lincoln for helping
to make the project possible.
The long line of people bearing shovels were then
invited to dig in and bring up a scoop of soil.
The offices of the Central Illinois Veterans Commission (CIVC) are
located at 120 South McLean Street in Lincoln (The Farm Bureau
building), across the hall from the office of Senator Sally Turner.
This evening, Monday, April 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. there will be
an open house at Senator Turner’s office. The CIVC offices will also
be open and anyone who is interested in learning more about the CIVC
or supporting the tiny home project is encouraged to stop in and
speak with Schaler or Fernandes.
The
CIVC also has a website with a good deal of information about
the commission as well as opportunities to donate to future tiny
home builds online. Applications are also being taken for tiny home
recipients.
[Nila Smith] |