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Left to right, Post 14 Commander Marc Rogers, Rep. Bill Mitchell, Department of Illinois Commander Darrel Tucker, past-Post 14 Commander Jesse Owens.

CLINTON — As his final term as state representative inches toward the end, Bill Mitchell has been able to help two DeWitt County organizations in a big way.

Earlier this summer, Mitchell was able to deliver a $100,000 grant to the DeWitt County Friendship Center. On July 19, it was Clinton AmVets’ turn.

Mitchell presented a mock check to Clinton AmVets Post 14 as a representation of funds for an Illinois grant that was applied for and approved over four years ago.  

The AmVets Post 14 Mission Statement reads, in part, that the Clinton AmVets is here “to assist with the needs of our country’s veterans through moral, citizenship and financial support.”  As writen in the grant application, the grant funding supports this mission by providing the funds to obtain a building and property to perform the various functions of the Post.

a)  Continue our objective of Veterans Helping Veterans:  We have become one of the primary veterans organizations in the Clinton area of Veterans Helping Veterans.

b)  Meet one-on-one with local veterans who need assistance (financial, advisory [obtaining help/assistance], and counseling [listening, sharing/venting])

c)  Establish an office, Post meeting place, and Veterans meeting place: The Post previously had no place to perform daily tasks.  In the past, the organization met in a barber shop and were granted some use of an area in the American Legion building. 

d)  Hold Post meetings and any special meetings

e)  Work to raise money selling at local events: AmVets have four money-raising efforts a year (May Days booth, July 4 booth, Apple and Pork Festival booth and an Eagles supported event).  With these efforts, AmVets has been able to make several donations to support veterans and their families, while still developing a “nest egg” for the operation of the Post, But it was not sufficient to buy a facility.

The scope of the grant is to procure a building, then add on to it, obtain furnishings, and make some minor repairs to the building exterior.  The grant application is required to provide a specific breakdown of the plan and, as part of the grant process, quarterly updates are required to be submitted to the state of Illinois.  

Post 14 has a membership of about 110 veterans, and members expressed excitement about expanding future activities and influence with the receipt of this grant.   

Courtesy of Darrel Tucker, ClintonAmVets Post 14