Helping veterans in the Tri-County area with small home repairs is the focus of the Illinois Valley Fuller Center for Housing (IVFCH), a not-for-profit organization incorporated in June and affiliated with The Fuller Center for Housing, an organization working to provide decent and affordable housing in the United States and worldwide.
The IVFCH is organizing an 11-day event titled “Joining Hands To Thank Veterans” from Nov. 1-11 to recognize and thank veterans. The event kicks off Fri. Nov. 1, with a fundraiser at the American Legion Limestone Post 979 in Bartonville. The event will feature music by Boogie Shooze, silent auctions, a 50-50 raffle and other entertainment. A cash bar will be available. Tickets are: $5 in advance/$7 at the door. Dinner will be served by the Legion but is not included in the ticket price.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, IVFCH volunteers will complete their first repair at a veteran’s home. Volunteers will replace porch railings and roof supports. The existing railings and supports are corroded and in a weakened condition.
On Sat., Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, volunteers will rake and clean up yards for veterans in the Tri-County area. A few openings are still available and veterans can contact the center to schedule yard work.
To help raise funds, the IVFCH is selling Royce Elliott Memorial “No Walk” Walk t-shirts. The shirts feature a picture of Royce, a Peoria comedian with a national reputation who died in April, and one of his many one-liners that made him beloved by so many. Royce was very supportive of veterans groups and always responded when they asked for a show. Roger Monroe, Royce’s co-host of the ‘Mornings With Royce and Roger’ radio show on WOAM, is honorary chairman of the “No Walk” Walk
The group is made up solely of volunteers; all funds raised go directly to the veterans home repair program. In the future, the group plans to rehab houses and sell them to veterans with no-interest mortgages. Ultimately the group wants to build new houses and sell them to veterans with no-interest mortgages.
“Our goal is to complete 20 repairs in 2014,” said Greg Woith, president of the board of directors. “We are targeting repairs that will cost $2,500 or less for materials. With volunteer labor, we will maximize the impact we have on the living conditions for our veterans. They deserve decent housing and we will do all we can to help with that. We know the community will want to join us in that effort. The Peoria Home Depot store, for example, is providing assistance to us which is very much appreciated.
Inquiries for signups for yard work, fundraiser event tickets, volunteer opportunities or making contributions, call 309 363-3737 or go to: www.ivfullercenter.org