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 The home is located at 310 South College Street in
Lincoln. It is the third and final home on that city lot that was
donated to the Central Illinois Veterans Commission by Greg “Haji”
Patel of Lincoln. While this is the final home on that particular
lot, during the ceremony, Joe Schaler of the CIVC announced that
another lot has been donated in Lincoln. Paul and Jackie Campbell
have donated a lot on Decatur Street that will supply space for two
new tiny homes.
On Thursday evening, Schaler brought the large crowd gathered to
attention and asked that the CIVC Board members join him up front.
By way of introductions, he began with the newest recipient of a
tiny home, Gale Ragsdale.
He then introduced the CIVC Board: Chuck Conzo, Annie Coers, Marsha
Fernandez, Tracy Welch, Patti Becker and Dan Benedict, whom he
called on to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
The flag was provided by the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District.
Schaler then called on Pastor Ron Otto of the Lincoln Christian
Church to offer a prayer. Pastor Otto said that he would pray now
for the evening, and later in the program he would pray for and with
the new home recipient.
After the prayer, Schaler acknowledged the Logan County Royalty in
the crowd - Little Miss Logan County Luci Bobell and Junior Miss
Isabella Pollice.
He then asked Nancy Robbins with Quilts of Valor to come forward.
Robbins presented Ragsdale with a quilt for her new home.
The next introduction was the Campbell’s. Schaler acknowledge that
the couple had answered a need in the community, donating a property
on Decatur Street in Lincoln that will provide a building site for
the next two veteran homes.
He brought up the volunteers who had led the project from beginning
to end and thanked them and all the others who have contributed to
the building of the latest home.
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Schaler brought Ragsdale to the microphone saying that he had
already given her the keys to the home, so this was simply a
formality to welcome her into the home. He noted that Ragsdale is an
Army veteran who has lived in a lot of places, but has never had a
home. This tiny home will be her first ever, permanent home.
Ragsdale said that she had been very surprised to
learn that she had been nominated for a home, let alone selected.
She said her daughter-in-law had entered the application without her
knowing and she was very grateful to Jeannette Harris for thinking
of her.
She said she was proud of her new home and promised to be a good
steward of her property.
Schaler also introduced the first two recipients of homes. The first
home went to Scott Jackson, whom Schaler said had been a huge help
to him and the CIVC and an advocate for the tiny home project. The
next awardees were Dave and Tecia Hennessey. In jest, Schaler
mentioned that all three recipients on this block had been Army
vets. He said that “We have to break this up somehow. I’m thinking
the next one (tiny home) will just be a tent, and that will be a
marine.”
Pastor Otto was then called back to deliver the blessing on the home
and its recipient.
Pastor Otto offered up a few comments. “Gale, there are names on
stuff in there of people who have just loved doing this. From the
grass to the roof you have no idea how many people came around and
worked. And I guarantee you some of these people’s blood is left in
there. They are not very good with a hammer. Through all of that, it
just warms our heart and thrills us to give you this house and
welcome you.” The pastor then went to prayer, seeking a blessing
over all those who gave to make this home possible and seeking a
special blessing on Ragsdale wishing her a long and happy life in
her home and in her new community.
With the blessing complete, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on
the front walkway to the home. The CIVC Board was assembled on the
porch and Junior Miss Isabella and Little Miss Luci were called to
join them along with any members of city government.
Mayor Tracy Welch was called upon to speak on behalf of the city of
Lincoln. Welch said he was truly proud to live in a city where
something like this can happen. “It truly takes a lot of heart and
dedication to pull off not one, but three houses.
"Congratulations to Gale. Thank you for your service. And, welcome
home.”
Ragsdale was asked if she had friends or family that she would like
to invite to stand behind the ribbon with her and she immediately
pointed out Harris and asked her to come help her perform the cut.
After the posed picture, the crowd helped with the countdown then
Ragsdale, with help from Harris snipped the ribbon on her new home.
The door to the home was open and anyone who wanted to peek inside
was welcome to do so. There were several who gathered around
Ragsdale and spoke to her one on one, welcoming her into her new
home and the community.
The Veteran Tiny Home project in Lincoln was started by the CIVC in
conjunction with 2 X 4’s of hope, an organization out of Quincy that
does this same type of work all over the region. The first home in
Lincoln was dedicated just a little over one year ago on Sunday
August 1st, 2021. The homes are funded entirely by donation.
Monetary donations of any size can be made to the CIVC and ear
marked for the tiny home projects.
To learn more about the CIVC visit the website
Home (civeteran.org), email
contact@civeteran.org
call 217-828-9366 or visit their office at 120 S. McLean in Lincoln.
[Nila Smith] |
