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 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.
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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] |
