CIVC Tiny Home Project receives Governors Hometown Award Sign

 

[November 11, 2022] 

On Thursday afternoon, the eve of Veteran’s Day, an organization in Lincoln whose sole purpose is to improve the quality of life for local veterans was awarded the Governor’s Hometown Award sign to be placed at the entry point to the city.

The Tiny Home project, administered by the Central Illinois Veteran’s Commission was nominated by city of Lincoln Administrative Assistant Ashley Metelko. The nomination was made earlier this year with the Tiny Home project then becoming a contender for the 2022 Governor’s Cup Award.

At the Illinois State Fair in August, it was announced that the Tiny Home project was among the top four finalists for the 2022 award. As a top finalist, the Governor’s Hometown Award was presented to the CIVC at the fair. At that time, the CIVC learned that they would be receiving the sign as a finalist.

On Thursday afternoon, the volunteer Coordinator with the Serve Illinois Commission, Jacob Jenkins presented the sign to the CIVC.

He sent greetings from the Governor JB Pritzker and other elected officials as well as the members of the Serve Illinois Commission.
 

Jenkins acknowledge the presence of Illinois Senator Sally Turner, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Joe Schaler of the CIVC and the members of the CIVC board.

He then commented that the Governors Hometown award was given out consecutively from 1983 to 2014 then again consecutively from 2017 to present. He said the purpose of the award is to recognize groups and communities that go above and beyond to improve the quality of life of the local community.

He said, “today we are here to honor Tiny Homes in the city of Lincoln with the official Governor’s Hometown award highway sign.”

Jenkins then called on Mayor Welch to speak on behalf of the city.

Welch said that he didn’t want to say much because he felt the people who have done all the work could say more important things. He said it was the CIVC who brought the idea to the city, and Joe Schaler had worked hard to bring the successful project to town and to local veterans. As the mayor of Lincoln, a veteran, and a member of the CIVC board, the said he was proud and honored to be the mayor of Lincoln at this time. He thanked the CIVC for their dedication to veterans.

Schaler was asked to speak. He began by acknowledging the CIVC board of Directors. He said each one brought their own special talent and perspective to the CIVC. He acknowledged that Bill Gossett was in the room to witness the sign dedication. Gossett is a World War II veteran who just recently turned 99 years old.

Finally, Schaler commented that the role of the CIVC and the Tiny Home project was to improve the lives of local veterans. He concluded, “We improve one life at a time, and when we change that one life, we change all our lives.”

Left, City Clerk Peggy Bateman, right Senator Sally Turner

Senator Turner spoke briefly saying that she wanted to address the veterans in the room and thank them, “thank you for your service, thank you from the bottom of my heart for protecting us.”

Speakers were finished at that point, and Jenkins asked Mayor Welch, Schaler, Gossett, and Senator Turner join him at the front of the room to unveil the sign.

The members of the CIVIC board were then asked to join the other four for a group photo.

Gathering for the photo was Senator Turner, City Treasurer and CIVC board member Chuck Conzo, World War II veteran Bill Gossett, United Way of Logan County Administrator and CIVC board member Patti Becker, Lincoln Mayor and CIVC board member Tracy Welch, Logan County Veteran’s Assistance Commission Director and CIVC board member Dan Benedict, CIVC board member Marsha Fernandes, Jacob Jenkins presenting the award and Joe Schaler with the CIVC.
 

The Tiny Home program broke ground on its first home in 2021. Within one year, three homes had been built and turned over to local veterans. The project recently received a donation of land of Decatur Street in Lincoln where two more tiny homes will be constructed in 2023.

Congratulations to the CIVC and the Tiny Home project.

[Nila Smith]