Central Illinois Veterans Commission introduces recipient Kevin Connor to his new home
 

[September 28, 2023]   Kevin Connor officially became Lincoln’s newest community member on Wednesday night. The Central Illinois Veterans Commission (CIVC) built Connor, a Navy veteran, a home at 908 Decatur St.

This home, as well as the one next to it, were completed by several community volunteers on behalf of the CIVC. These homes were constructed in just six weeks.

The home was the site of a dedication ceremony, with many members of the Lincoln community in attendance to welcome Connor to town.

CIVC’s own Joe Schaler led the ceremony, speaking on the construction of the home and giving props to everyone who helped make it a reality. In traditional Schaler fashion, Joe made a witty remark on how this went from a finished construction project to a home. “It looks like it threw up a house inside,” Schaler stated when commenting on his reaction to seeing the home decorated for the first time. Schaler then went on to give credit to the women who did the decorating, Marsha Fernandes and Annie Coers. “It looks like it came out of a magazine.”

After Schaler was finished, he handed the floor over to Connor, who couldn’t thank everyone enough for providing him with such a beautiful home.

Connor also introduced his father Tom, his mother Kim, and his daughter Jade. They similarly expressed their thanks.

The speaking was followed by a tour of the house, in which several members of the community participated.

[Matt Boutcher]