Phyllis Beccue of Mount Pulaski's American Legion Auxiliary Post 447 coordinated local efforts for raising funds toward supplying basic needs of everyday living for homeless veterans in Decatur. Dan O'Loughlin and Lucy Brownlee of D&O Properties One of Decatur have written a funded grant toward the renovation of apartments, condos and small houses in Decatur to be used for housing homeless veterans. Dan, a local Decatur contractor, remarked that of all the homes and businesses he has built over the years, this homeless veterans project is by far the most satisfying. Mount Pulaski's American Legion is one of the first organizations that have stepped forward in this project.

Initially, Phyllis enlisted the support of her women's auxiliary. Then, the Sons of Legion Veterans and the veterans of Mount Pulaski's American Legion Ryman-Fuiten Post 447 quickly jumped on board. Next, Phyllis requested support from Mount Pulaski Grade School, where she had retired from teaching a few years ago. Mrs. Dickson, the school's counselor, quickly got on board with this project and enlisted support from the school's eighth-grade student council members.

Friday, Mrs. Dickson and 15 of these students showed up at Mount Pulaski's Dollar General and Johnson's Food Center to purchase needed items for the house for homeless veterans, which will be named Mount Pulaski House. The students raised $239 for this project. Together with additional funds raised by Phyllis, and some additional financial backing by Dollar General and Doug Johnson of Johnson's Foods, the students went shopping.

Sgt. Jacob Deavers from Maroa was on hand to help the students do the shopping. Deavers had just returned within the past week from his tour of duty in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and was invited by Ms. Brownlee to join them.

Pictures and information from Phil Bertoni